Artwork
明 佚名 柳馬圖 冊頁|Horse and Willow Tree
明 佚名 柳馬圖 冊頁|Horse and Willow Tree is an ink painting. It dates from 1416 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is an album leaf painted with ink and color on silk, depicting a horse positioned beside a willow tree.
About this work
Overview
The work is an album leaf painted with ink and color on silk, depicting a horse positioned beside a willow tree. Executed on a single page of a traditional Chinese album, the composition is rendered with restrained lines and a limited palette, emphasizing a tranquil atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary horse near a graceful willow, a motif that often conveys themes of serenity and the harmonious relationship between humanity, nature, and animal life. The quiet stance of the animal and the gentle sway of the willow suggest a moment of peaceful coexistence.
Technique & Style
The artist employed brushwork characteristic of East Asian painting, using ink on silk to achieve fluid, expressive lines. Subtle washes of color complement the monochrome ink, highlighting the forms without overwhelming the composition. The simplicity of the drawing reflects a disciplined approach to line and tone.
History & Provenance
The piece is attributed to an anonymous creator and belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As an album leaf, it would have originally been part of a larger bound set of paintings, a format common in Chinese art from the Ming period onward.
Artist & collection
