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Who was Han Gan and how did he paint horses?

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ceremonial hu — Chinese painting Drawing of ancestral offering scenes (ritual archery, sericulture, hunting, and warfare) cast on a ceremonial bronze *hu,* 6th–5th century bc, Zhou dynasty. In the Palace Museum, Peking.

Han Gan (flourished 8th century) was a renowned Chinese painter of the Tang dynasty who served as a favorite court artist to Emperor Xuanzong. While he was recorded as having produced wall paintings on Buddhist and Daoist themes, he is best remembered for his mastery in depicting horses, which were central to Tang military expansion and court life.12

Regarding his technique, Han Gan emphasized the strength and nobility of his subjects through the use of a tautly controlled line and compositions of great clarity. His work was highly influential, and many later artists—such as the Yuan dynasty master Zhao Mengfu—claimed to follow his style. A notable example of his work is the painting Zhaoyebai (Shining White in the Night), which, despite being damaged and restored, provides insight into his vital talent.132