Han Gan, Night-Shining White
Tethered to a wooden stake, the horse in this painting appears wild-eyed and animated, its head raised with flaring nostrils and an open mouth as if it is emitting a shrill neigh. A leading court painter named Han Gan who specialized in horses is believed to have painted this portrait of “Night-Shining White,” the favored […]
Chinese Painting
By Maxwell Hearn The Chinese way of appreciating a painting is often expressed by the words du hua, “to read a painting.” How does one do that? Consider Night-Shining White by Han Gan (1977.78), an image of a horse. Originally little more than a foot square, it is now mounted as a handscroll that is […]
Chinese Painting, Appreciation of This Art
By Maxwell Hearn Department of Asian Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Chinese way of appreciating a painting is often expressed by the words du hua, “to read a painting.” How does one do that? Consider Night-Shining White by Han Gan (1977.78), an image of a horse. Originally little more than a foot square, […]