Galloping through Chinese history

Ma says that although Li was already famous in the Northern Song Dynasty, he was known for his quiet and introverted nature. Historical accounts describe him as spending long periods observing horses in imperial gardens, sometimes becoming so absorbed that he failed to notice people calling his name.

"That intense observation gave his horses extraordinary vitality," Ma says.

The work also reveals the scale of official horse breeding in ancient China. Historical records suggest that during the height of the Tang Dynasty, the government maintained around 700,000 horses. On average, one groom cared for about 10 animals, meaning tens of thousands of people were involved in horse rearing across the dynasty.

The exhibition also examines horses as symbols of military achievement and imperial legitimacy. Among the highlights are six paintings depicting the favorite warhorses of Tang emperor Li Shimin.

Historical records state that six horses helped save Li during the campaigns that unified the Tang Dynasty. To honor them, he commissioned stone carvings of the animals for his mausoleum in present-day Xianyang in Shaanxi province. The paintings displayed in the exhibition were produced centuries later by Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) court painter Zhao Lin and are the only surviving works attributed to him.

"The basic style of the paintings follows the carvings, but the painter introduced his own artistic interpretation by rendering the horses with softer, fuller forms that make them appear more animated and lifelike," says Ma.

"These paintings show the reverence ancient Chinese society held for horses. Because of their heroics on the battlefield, horses were memorialized in stone, celebrated in literature, and immortalized in art," he adds.

The exhibition also explores the spiritual qualities embodied by horses in ancient China and their rich cultural connotations.

For example, in classical Chinese thought, exceptional people were often compared to fine steeds. Just as a great horse requires a knowledgeable judge to recognize its value, talented individuals also depend on wise leaders who can identify and nurture ability.

Several paintings in the exhibition reflect this metaphor directly.

One portrays a neglected horse filled with frustration at never being appreciated. Another depicts a thin, exhausted horse that is nevertheless recognized by an expert as a rare and valuable steed. Also on display is a calligraphy work by Qing emperor Qianlong encouraging one of his officials to become a perceptive judge of talent and help discover capable individuals for the state.

"Over time, the relationship between the fine horse and the discerning judge became deeply embedded in Chinese culture," Ma says. "It evolved into a metaphor that encouraged rulers to remain open-minded and recognize exceptional talent."