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Introduction of
“Running Horse”
Xu Beihong is
an icon in China; he is widely considered as the father of Modern
Art in China. Every Chinese person knew the name of Xu Beihong.
My first impression upon seeing this piece of galloping horse
by Xu Beihong was that this was a terrific painting. I have seen
many works by Xu Beihong in China, especially at Xu Beihong’s
Museum in Beijing, but I have rarely seen work like this piece
here in the States. My first instinct was that I want to have
it. I want to have
this piece for several reasons; this Painting is authentic; this
piece of Xu’s Galloping horse is quite unique, it’s very rare
to see Xu’s work in watercolor; and this painting is truly exceptional
in its superb brushwork and his artistic ability. Xu Beihong like
many artist of his time, Chinese ink was the primary method of
painting. As Xu gradually adapt the western ideology, he begins
to experiment painting in oil and watercolor, but works of such
kind are very rare to find in China and abroad. Chinese artist
are custom to include inscription when signing their painting,
we can understand many from their signature. On this piece, Xu
Beihong have wrote in calligraphy the following: “Three
Five Year Beginning of Summer Bei Hong Wrote At Pan Xi” One of the hardest
things to forge in Chinese painting is the signature, and I have
also study Xu’s Biography. I did notice that in 1942, Xu settled
near the city of Chongqing for four years, he was teaching at
the Central University in a small town of Panxi. During the time,
Xu was living under Guomingdang controlled China, which follow
its own system counting years. Under that system, years are counted
starting from the Guomingdang’s independence in 1911. As Xu signed
‘Three Five year’ (thirty-five year), which under the Guomingdang
counting system, adding eleven years to total and come to the
year of 1946, which was the last year Xu stayed in Panxi. From
this we can establish that Xu Beihong painted this piece at the
age of 51, the summer of 1946 in Panxi.
I also enjoy
that this piece was painted when Xu Beihong’s artistic ability
was at its maturity. Before settling in Chongqing in 1942, Xu
have just returned to China from years of traveling abroad. Xu
have studied in France, Germany under famed artists as Flameng
and Dagnan, he had visited and copied painting in many major museums
of Europe. Along with other famed Chinese artists, Xu was invited
to exhibit in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Soviet Union.
Beihong was influenced very much by his stay abroad. He had acquired
an excellent technique of drawing from life and a wide profound
knowledge of art. He successfully
integrated Chinese and foreign, ancient and modern painting techniques
into his paintings. It’s true remarkable to see Xu’s incredible
brushstroke, and to see how alive the horse feel on paper. I believe
this painting is exceptional that it was painted at the age when
Xu Beihong has master his ability. On the back of
the painting, there is inscription in pencil: “Ju
Pe On, ‘Springendespferd’ “ Kopie son Hfollert 1958 I have researched
that Xu Beihong used the name Ju Pe On when he was abroad; it
was not until China’s revolution Xu Beihong name is spell as it
appear now. Professor
B. J. Zhou For more information, please contact to eChinaArt.com.
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