This horse scroll painting takes up the four horses ink wash theme in the language of classical Chinese art. Silk takes the ink with a particular softness, and this piece uses it well. As a piece of classical chinese artwork, it reads clearly from across the room and keeps giving on closer inspection.
Layers of ink wash model the landscape without a single hard edge. In the middle distance, the four horses anchors the painting's sense of place. 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 feng shui home decor, it carries the calm authority of the classical tradition. It suits a study, a tea room, or any corner meant for unhurried hours. It brings a sense of order to a busy wall.
