Artwork Description

Title:Bath Horse

Artist
Wang Zhi

Date
n.d.

Medium:
Ink and Watercolor on Paper

Dimensions
23.6 x 35.4 in (60 x 90 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Bath Horse by Wang Zhi is a finely detailed ink and watercolor painting on paper, depicting an elegant equestrian scene rooted in traditional Chinese genre painting. A noble figure in red sits astride a dappled steed beside a gentle stream, while two attendants tend to additional horses in the background. The work is characterized by its refined brushwork, harmonious color palette, and serene woodland setting. The composition evokes a moment of pastoral respite and grace, reflecting the artist’s command of figuration and atmosphere.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
While Wang Zhi is best known for his contemporary interpretations and conceptual approaches, Bath Horse reveals his deep grounding in classical Chinese painting traditions. The controlled linework, delicate washes, and compositional rhythm reflect the influence of Tang and Song dynasty court paintings, especially in their treatment of equestrian nobility. The artist’s ability to bridge historical aesthetics with a modern sensibility places this work at the intersection of reverence and innovation, reinforcing Wang’s identity as both a scholar and a stylistic experimenter.

3. Historical Context
Born in 1955, Wang Zhi matured as an artist during a period of radical cultural and artistic transformation in China. Emerging in the wake of the Cultural Revolution, he absorbed the legacy of Chinese academic training while remaining attuned to international trends. By the 1970s and 1980s, he was already responding to global art movements, including Conceptualism and Neo-Expressionism, yet his practice retained a deep engagement with ink traditions. Bath Horse represents a contemplative return to timeless themes of nature, nobility, and rhythm, rendered with masterful restraint.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition, with the paper surface stable and the pigments vivid and unfaded. There are no visible tears, foxing, or water damage. The work has been professionally framed under protective glass and is suitable for long-term preservation and display.

6. Artistic Significance
Bath Horse is a compelling example of Wang Zhi’s dual mastery of traditional technique and contemporary relevance. While the artist is internationally celebrated for his conceptual ventures and market successes, this piece offers a more meditative view into his painterly sensitivity and cultural grounding. For collectors seeking a harmonious blend of heritage and individual expression, Bath Horse presents a rare and evocative acquisition from one of China’s most versatile contemporary voices.