Picture scroll of Han Hwang’s five bulls

[Han Huang’s Five Cattle Painting Volume]

The Five Cattle Painting Volume, painted by Han Huang in the Tang Dynasty, paper version, colored, 20.8 cm in length and 139.8 cm in width
There is no author’s stamp on this picture. There are 14 inscriptions on this picture and the tail paper, including Zhao Mengfu, Sun Hong, Xiang Yuanbian, Hongli and Jin Nong
The Painting of Five Cattle is the earliest painting ever seen on paper. The paper is made of hemp and has the characteristics of paper in the Tang Dynasty. The five bulls in the picture have different images and different postures. They are either standing or standing, or bow down, or hold their heads high. They are very dynamic. One of them is completely painted as a front, with a unique perspective, which shows the author’s superb modeling ability. The author uses simple lines to outline the bone transition of cattle, which is wrapped in muscles and muscles. The strokes are sophisticated and smooth, and the lines are full of strength and accurate artistic expression. The root hairs on the head and nose of the cattle are more subtle. Every cow has bright eyes. The author portrays the gentle and stubborn character of the cow very vividly by focusing on the eyes. The work takes cattle as the object of expression, without background background background, with accurate and vivid modeling, light and simple colors, different shades of rendering, and rich levels of painting, reaching the realm of both form and spirit. Painting with cattle is one of the traditional themes of ancient Chinese painting, which reflects the leading ideology of the ancient agricultural country based on agriculture. During his tenure as Prime Minister, Han Hwang focused on agricultural development. This picture may contain the significance of encouraging farming. “The Painting of Five Cattle” is the only copy of his works handed down from generation to generation, and is also one of the few authentic paintings on paper and silk of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, its artistic achievements and historical value have attracted worldwide attention.