Across the silk of this horse scroll painting, the grass ink wash theme plays out in classical tones. Every element earns its place; nothing here is decoration for its own sake. As a piece of classical chinese artwork, it reads clearly from across the room and keeps giving on closer inspection.
Against the silk ground, the grass reads clearly at any distance. Layers of ink wash model the landscape without a single hard edge. The mood is contemplative rather than dramatic, inviting the viewer to slow down. A quiet picture, but one with real staying power. The overall tone is one of ease, the hardest thing to paint and the easiest to enjoy.
As a piece of timeless asian wall art, it carries the calm authority of the classical tradition. A calm picture for a busy house, and all the more welcome for it. It rewards a wall with a little empty space around it.
