Night-Shining White by Han Gan, ca. 750.
Night-Shining White · Han Gan · ca. 750 · Asian Art
Night-Shining White by Han Gan, ca. 750.
Night-Shining White by Han Gan, ca. 750.
Night-Shining White by Han Gan, ca. 750.

Night-Shining White

Han Gan

Year
ca. 750
Medium
Handscroll; ink on paper
Dimensions
Image: 12 1/8 x 13 3/8 in. (30.8 x 34 cm) Overall with mounting: 14 in. x 37 ft. 5 1/8 in. (35.4 cm x 11.4 m)
Collection
Asian Art
License
Public Domain

Night-Shining White by Han Gan depicts a cavalry horse owned by Emperor Xuanzong. The horse is tethered to a post. Ink on paper, ca. 750. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

The painting measures 12 1/8 x 13 3/8 inches. The complete handscroll, with mounting, extends to 37 feet 5 1/8 inches. Ink on paper shows a mastery of the bai hua technique.

Purchased by the museum in 1977, it was once part of a series ordered by Emperor Xuanzong. Many original paintings from this series have not survived.

Han Gan was active around 750. He was sponsored by the poet Wang Wei and became a court painter known for capturing the spirit of horses.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39901

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