Tartars on Horseback

Object Details

• Artist

  Formerly attributed to Chen Juzhong (late 12th-early 13th century)

• Description

  Handscroll of six mounted warriors and a riderless horse.

• Marks

  2 seals on painting; 1 seal on title; 1 seal with colophon.

• Inscriptions

  Colophon dated 1425.

• Label

  The subject matter of this painting traditionally has been thought to represent Khitan nomads bringing a tribute horse to China. Recent studies now indicate that, while all the figures are probably of Central Asian origin, their horses are a type of Mongolian pony. Archaeological discoveries point to the possibility of a cultural link between Manchuria and Central Asia and a closer relationship between the seminomadic Khitan in northeastern China and the Turkic Uigurs in the northwest. This Freer version is among several later copies of an original composition that dates to the twelfth century.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Looking Out, Looking In: Art in Late Imperial China (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Year of the Horse: Chinese Horse Paintings (February 24 to September 2, 2002)

  Chinese Figure Painting (September 17, 1973 to January 3, 1975)

  Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Memorial Exhibition (September 25, 1971 to October 2, 1972)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s

• Name

  Juzhong, Chen

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Warrior, Art, Baimiao style, Animals, Chinese Art, Horses, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Paintings