a2 10 Beihong Xu

The composition presents two horses in a vertical format, set against a backdrop of bare branches and a muted sky. The artist has employed a restrained palette dominated by shades of grey, white, and black, with subtle hints of green suggesting foliage or atmospheric perspective.
Here we see the horses positioned centrally within the frame, their bodies angled towards the viewer. One horse appears to be grazing, its head lowered in a posture of quiet consumption. The other stands slightly behind it, its neck arched and head raised, seemingly alert and watchful. Their forms are rendered with loose brushstrokes, capturing the texture of their coats and conveying a sense of movement despite their relatively static poses.
The background is characterized by an ethereal quality. A large tree, devoid of leaves, dominates the upper portion of the painting. Its branches extend outwards in delicate lines, creating a network that seems to both enclose and connect the horses with the surrounding environment. The sky behind the tree is rendered as a wash of pale green and grey, contributing to the overall sense of tranquility and stillness.
The calligraphic inscription on the left side of the painting adds another layer of meaning. While the specific content remains undecipherable without translation, its presence suggests a connection to literary or philosophical traditions often associated with East Asian art. The red seal at the bottom right serves as the artist’s signature and mark of authenticity.
Subtly, the work explores themes of observation and awareness. The grazing horse embodies a state of peaceful absorption, while the watchful one represents vigilance and readiness. This juxtaposition suggests a broader commentary on the interplay between action and contemplation, or perhaps the balance between instinct and intellect. The bare tree, symbolic of resilience and endurance through adversity, reinforces this sense of quiet strength and enduring presence within nature. The overall effect is one of understated elegance and contemplative harmony.