Xu Beihong's "Grieving and Longing for Battle"

<p>This is a classic hanging scroll painting by Xu Beihong from 1944 (the 33rd year of the Republic of China), created on paper with color. Dimensions: 84 × 50.5cm.</p><p></p><p>The composition features a sparse hillside and withered grass rendered in minimal, light ink. The central figure is a horse standing in profile, its mane and tail painted with bold, vigorous strokes of dark ink that swirl dynamically as if caught in the wind. Blending Chinese and Western techniques, Xu uses Western-style sketching to define the horse's skeletal structure and musculature, creating distinct light and shadow across the chest, abdomen, and limbs for a robust, upright posture. Simultaneously, he employs traditional Chinese freehand brushwork, alternating between dry and wet ink washes. Bold dark lines outline the mane and forelock, while pale ink softly washes over the body, combining powerful momentum with delicate texture. The inscribed poem—"Grieving cries evoke the desire to fight; turning back, it faces the vast sky"—captures the work's essence. With head held high and gazing backward, the warhorse appears poised to move, its expression somber yet filled with latent determination. Through this image of the steed, Xu conveys deep concern for his nation and aspirations to serve on the battlefield. Rejecting ornate backgrounds, the artist contrasts the lone horse against barren grass, leaving ample white space that evokes a desolate, boundless atmosphere. Painted during a time of war, Xu uses the horse as a metaphor for humanity, infusing the piece with patriotic sentiment. This masterpiece excels in both artistic technique and spiritual depth, offering significant aesthetic value and reflecting the humanistic spirit of its era, making it highly prized in the art market.</p>