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Han Gan, Night-Shining White, c. 742-56 (Metropolitan Museum)

A) White Horse in Moonlight
B) Night-Shining White Horse
C) Han Gan's Equine Art
D) Metropolitan Steed

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The 'Night-Shining White' by Han Gan is a famous equine artwork depicting the horse of Tang Emperor Xuanzong, notable for its historical seal impressions. Equine art has a rich history, from ancient Chinese dynastic art to modern interpretations like Franz Marc's 'Blue Horse I' with its distinctive color symbolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

"Night-Shining White," a famous painting by Han Gan, is an exceptional example of equine art from around 750 AD. This work depicts a horse that belonged to Tang Emperor Xuanzong and showcases Han Gan's remarkable talent for capturing the essence of horses. The seal impressions on the painting were typically added by collectors, connoisseurs, and others who wished to mark their appreciation, ownership, or to offer a personal note about the art piece over time. It is part of a historical tradition in East Asian art where seals serve to track the provenance and reception history of a work.

Other significant works of equine art throughout history include the energetic Han dynasty handle in the form of a dragon that resembles a horse, the stone-age depiction from the "Panel of the Chinese Horses" at Lascaux Cave, and more modern interpretations such as Franz Marc's "Blue Horse I" which employs bold color symbolism to convey the animal's form and spirit.

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