The arts hold a significant position in human culture, serving as a medium for preserving national heritage and conveying distinctive cultural elements, emotions, and national spirit. The historical development of the arts has given rise to diverse cultural forms, contributing to the establishment of a distinctive system of artistic traditions in China that constitutes a valuable and integral part of Chinese culture. Arts education in colleges and universities should foster an understanding of the essential role of the arts in cultural preservation, encourage active engagement with cultural heritage, and cultivate genuine emotional connections and a profound appreciation for national culture. Symbolist painting encompasses diverse styles that employ suggestive expressions to explore a spiritual realm beyond reality, making it a significant subject of study within arts education. This research analyzes the concepts and cultural background of Symbolist painting theory and investigates its application in college arts education in China, considering current teaching practices. The findings demonstrate that the optimized Graph-Cut method substantially enhances the accuracy and fitting performance of Symbolist painting analysis, providing technical support for its study and application in college arts education. The research highlights the potential value of incorporating Symbolist painting into arts education to enrich teaching content and encourage aesthetic understanding.
