When comparing Travelers by Streams and Mountains and Chairman Meo en Route to

Anyuan there are multiple similarities and differences. For example, Travelers by Streams and
Mountains focuses much more on the beauty of landscape, while Chairman Meo en Route to
Anyuan presents the subject of a man figure instead. This is exemplified by the compositions
attention to detail in both paintings, as Chairman Meo is centered within the piece, while the
light colors of white and blue in the background emphasize his figure in the foreground.
Meanwhile, a great stream and mountain are centered in Travelers by Streams and Mountains
with very little interruption, other than the small men within the mountain that the viewer much
really look in order to see.

Another difference between the two paintings are the purposes/functions that they serve.
Travelers by Streams and Mountains held the purpose of bringing attention to natural landscapes,
paying ultimate respect to the sacred nature of mountain ranges. Meanwhile, Chairman Meo en
Route to Anyuan holds a much different purpose. Furthermore, this painting was meant to further
a political agenda. A look of determination perfectly symbolizes Meo’s purpose of exemplifying
his “commitment” to common people. This was in fact a celebratory piece of Meo’s commitment
to the ideals of the communist party. The figure’s tall stance while looking out into the distance
tells of a sense of courage and lack of fear. Therefore, the artist is using realism (a form of art
found common in Asia) in order to portray a gain at power, a much greedier approach in
comparison to the celebration of a mountain’s serenity found in Travelers by Streams and
Mountains.

In addition to all of this, the way that which the paintings are presented are much
different. For example, Travelers by Streams and Mountains has gaps between the three
distances, allowing them to be/seem disconnected. However, it serves a symbolic message to the
audience, as it allows them to explore the landscape in a free manner. Meanwhile, Chairman
Meo en Route to Anyuan follows more of a traditional realist landscape behind the subject, as it
allows for Meo to have a luminesce quality about him.