.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
"A horse can only show its true ability when it finds one able to discover its talents."
- Ancient Chinese Proverb, Stories of Hanshi, Scroll 7
When Xu Beihong painted Admiring the Stallion in 1937, it was during one of the most difficult time in Chineses history - the second Sino-Japanese war had just begun. Since the horse is a traditional Chinese symbol of strength and courage, perhaps it is no coincidence that the artist returns to this subject matter time and again to echo his sentiments and support for his people. The horse is infused with nationalistic meaning - it represents a personal desire of the artist for a stronger China and exemplifies China's valiant resistance to foreign invasion and the Chinese soldiers' heroic spirit.
In Admiring the Stallion, a male figure is seen here transfixed upon the horse, a rare sight in Xu's horse paintings which are usually devoid of accompanying figures. Combined with a mixture of Chinese ink wash painting techniques with western-style influences, Xu creates his own unique style. The artist utilises bold and expressive brush work to accentuate the shape of the large muscles to convey the robustness of the horse, resulting in a creature full of vigour and liveliness, in contrast to the quiet respect and intimate gaze of the man towards it.
- Ancient Chinese Proverb, Stories of Hanshi, Scroll 7
When Xu Beihong painted Admiring the Stallion in 1937, it was during one of the most difficult time in Chineses history - the second Sino-Japanese war had just begun. Since the horse is a traditional Chinese symbol of strength and courage, perhaps it is no coincidence that the artist returns to this subject matter time and again to echo his sentiments and support for his people. The horse is infused with nationalistic meaning - it represents a personal desire of the artist for a stronger China and exemplifies China's valiant resistance to foreign invasion and the Chinese soldiers' heroic spirit.
In Admiring the Stallion, a male figure is seen here transfixed upon the horse, a rare sight in Xu's horse paintings which are usually devoid of accompanying figures. Combined with a mixture of Chinese ink wash painting techniques with western-style influences, Xu creates his own unique style. The artist utilises bold and expressive brush work to accentuate the shape of the large muscles to convey the robustness of the horse, resulting in a creature full of vigour and liveliness, in contrast to the quiet respect and intimate gaze of the man towards it.