The Rivers and Mountains in Autumn Colors is one of the major paintings from the Song Dynasty. It is traditionally attributed to Zhao Boju who was active in the early Southern Song. Scholars tend to believe that this painting falls into the late Northern Song. The attribution to Zhao Boju is usually denied. This dissertation is mainly a study of this painting seen within the artistic and cultural context of the times.

Based on the assumption of Zhao Boju's authorship of the Autumn Colors, Zhao Boju's biography is reconstructed in Chapter I. His life span is established (b. ca. 1118-1120; d. 1166). The biography of Zhao Bosu, Boju's brother, is also covered. Their artistic attainments in contemporary and later evaluations are discussed in Chapter II.

Chapter III is devoted to the history of the use of color before the Southern Song since the Autumn Colors is rendered in colors. A historiographic review on, as well as a different approach to, the development of Chinese painting are provided. The Autumn Colors is able to be placed in the history of Chinese painting.

Chapter IV comprises the main body of this dissertation. Section I makes morphological and stylistic analyses on the Autumn Colors, in which technical aspects such as the "Blue-and-Green" manner or the use of gold are fully expounded. The authorship of Zhao Boju is first established. Section II interprets the content of this painting. I identify the landscape in this painting with the Tianmu Mountains near Hangzhou and explore the nature of this painting. Certain geomantic and political readings can be made.

Chapter V deals with other possible attributions of Zhao Boju. The Han Palace is confirmed as out of Zhao Boju's hand through stylistic analysis, and a thematic interpretation is included. The Emperor Minghuang's Journey to Shu, a painting known as a copy after Li Zhaodao, is tentatively re-attributed to Zhao Boju. Profound political significance is discernible in this painting. The Golden Temples amid Myriad Pines by Zhao Bosu is also included to provide a better understanding of the arts of Zhao Boju.