Who painted Riding a Dragon?

Riding a Dragon was painted by Ma Yuan in 1202.

Where can I see Riding a Dragon?

Riding a Dragon is held by National Palace Museum.

What movement is Riding a Dragon?

Riding a Dragon is associated with Song dynasty landscape.

Artwork

Riding a Dragon

Ma Yuan , 1202

Riding a Dragon is an unspecified painting by the Song dynasty landscape artist Ma Yuan. It dates from 1202 and is held in the collection of the National Palace Museum.

About this work

Overview

Riding a Dragon is a painting by Ma Yuan, a prominent Chinese artist of the Song dynasty, created around 1202. It is a representative work of the Song landscape movement and is now held in the National Palace Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a man in traditional Chinese attire riding a dragon, with the creature's head and tail visible, conveying a sense of dynamic energy as if it is about to take flight.

Technique & Style

The use of a muted background color focuses attention on the central figures, while the overall effect is achieved through the artist's skillful rendering of the dragon in motion.

History & Provenance

Ma Yuan was active from around 1160–65 to 1225 and, along with Xia Gui, founded the Ma-Xia school, influencing later Chinese and early Japanese artists, including Shūbun and Sesshū.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ma Yuan

Ma Yuan (Chinese: 馬遠; pinyin: Mǎ Yuǎn; Wade–Giles: Ma Yüan; c. 1160–65 – 1225) was a Chinese painter of the Song dynasty. His works, together with that of Xia Gui, formed the basis of the so-called Ma-Xia (馬夏) school of…