Page 138 - Majestic Vol1
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RACING
THROUGH
ART 驰骋在艺术世界的美骥
HISTORY 在艺术创作里，马匹的题材是人类视觉形象的最早记
录，从东方的兵马俑到西方的宫廷画师，骏马的英气和
美姿，蕴含着巨大无穷的生命力。
文 / 李 红 莲 TRANSLATION / EDITORIAL
In 15,000 B.C. years ago, in Spain Learning from his master Cao Ba who depicted horses, Castiglione’s works Art
and southern France, prehistoric worked as a painter for the royal family, stood out because of his preservation of Giu
humans — who had not developed Han Gan drew the horse’s body in his Tang style and incorporation of Western Cas
writing systems — took up raw materials characteristic fluid style. In other words, realism techniques — all to highlight the
and drew images of sturdy horses on his magnificent horses were drawn in a liveliness of the horses. The illustration 郎世
cave wall and rocks. Their strong bodies delicate manner, a subtle style that came of the various gestures of the horses was
were often depicted in red, with black to be known as ‘highlighting muscles natural and vivid, and his unique style
manes swishing in the breeze and hooves while ignoring bones’. His style was said was a great accomplishment in Chinese
thundering over plains. In short, horses to represent the Tang dynasty people’s painting history.
were often a favourite theme in Man’s pursuit of a casual and tranquil style,
early artwork. with a steadfast boldness in their heart. A more recent breakthrough of horse-
drawing style can be seen in modern
As one of Man’s most significant allies, The horse-drawing style of Tang Dynasty Chinese art history, when painter Xu
the horse was instrumental in wars, the continued to influence painters for one Bei-hong (1895 – 1953) captured
building of political empires and the thousand years. Some painters developed the horse’s graceful movements with
development of religion. Additionally, surreal outlines and colouration, Chinese calligraphy skills. Winning the
horses also enabled business transactions concentrating mainly on lines and colours, compliment of ‘iron bones and dragon
and the spread of cultures. Since human as well as the setting of tone. soul’, Xu did research on the horse’s
life was so closely intertwined with horses, bone structure, and combined Western
it is no surprise that images of horses EAST MEETS WEST sketching skills with traditional Chinese
sprinting over vast lands were recorded in freehand techniques. Xu’s aesthetic
artwork, especially paintings. Such skills were passed on until the Qing methods carried a balance between form,
Dynasty, and were clearly seen in the spirit, ink, and charm. Such methods
Dynasty after dynasty, the depiction of works of Italian missionary Giuseppe became Xu’s trademark – horses galloping
horses was an unceasing constant. The Castiglione (1688 – 1766), who then candidly and handsomely — a style which
Qin dynasty’s terracotta warriors and became a court painter in China. His many a young painter would learn when
horses clue us in on the political value works integrated eastern and western drawing horses.
of war horses during its time. When the painting styles. He presented realistic,
Han dynasty came into existence, the three-dimensional works that focused on INSPIRATIONS FROM THE
Chinese continued to draw horses on lines and structures that also exuded the RACECOURSE
rocks and bricks. charm of Chinese traditional paintings.
Alfred Munnings (1878 – 1959) depicted
EQUINE ART IN THE TANG His masterpiece Eight Running Horses the coiled tension in racehorses in his
DYNASTY AND BEYOND depicted different actions of horses in the distinctive work The Start. This art
wild — lying down, standing, eating grass, piece captured the sprinting energy that
Later on, Tang dynasty painter Han playing, and relaxing, while the horseman racehorses exhibit, as well as that silent
Gan expounded on the equine form. rests under a tree. Among the works which moment when the vigour and momentum
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