The eight horses mountains theme needed no invention, only honest painting, and this horse scroll painting delivers it. The composition follows the classical sense of weight and counterweight. Among pieces of timeless asian wall art, this is the quiet kind: balanced, calm, and easy to live with.
The palette leans festive, a welcome contrast to the usual ink restraint. Written characters drift down the silk like a quiet commentary on the image. Mountains fill the background like a held chord in music. The eight horses settles naturally into the scene, balanced against the larger forms. A restrained hand and a full heart: the classical combination. The ink work is confident without being showy, exact without being stiff.
As chinese silk scroll painting, it asks for nothing more than a good wall and soft light. A fine companion for books, tea, and slow evenings. Give it time; the best pictures are slow company.
