Artwork
清 王素 東山報捷圖 軸|Bringing the Message of Victory to Dongshan

清 王素 東山報捷圖 軸|Bringing the Message of Victory to Dongshan is an ink painting by the Impressionist artist Wang Su. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1986.267.26
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Its iconography combines equestrianism, a game, and the presence of a horse, man, and woman to symbolize triumph, strength, and auspicious prosperity.
The painting shows a dynamic scene of a rider on a horse accompanied by a man and a woman, illustrating a victorious message delivered to Dongshan. Its iconography combines equestrianism, a game, and the presence of a horse, man, and woman to symbolize triumph, strength, and auspicious prosperity. The work functions as a historical narrative that celebrates a military or political success, using traditional motifs to convey the joy of victory and the harmonious balance of forces. The composition emphasizes the transmission of good news through visual cues of movement and celebration.
Technique & Style
The hanging scroll measures 143.5 cm in height and 80.6 cm in width and is executed in ink with subtle color washes on paper. It belongs to the history‑painting genre and portrays a dynamic scene of equestrianism, a game, a horse, a man and a woman. The composition reflects traditional Chinese brush techniques combined with delicate pigmentation, characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century works.
The piece was created in China in 1862 and is presently held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed as a hanging scroll.
History & Provenance
The hanging scroll titled Bringing the Message of Victory to Dongshan was created by the Qing dynasty artist Wang Su in 1862. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work originates from China and measures 143.5 cm in height by 80.6 cm in width. While the specific commission details and the original ownership chain are not detailed in the available records, the painting's provenance leads to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held in the collection.
The artwork depicts historical figures engaged in equestrian activities, featuring men, women, horses, and game, consistent with the history painting genre of the period.
The hanging scroll titled Bringing the Message of Victory to Dongshan, created by Wang Su in 1862, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum houses the work within its Asian art holdings. The painting, executed in ink and color on paper, measures 143.5 cm in height and 80.6 cm in width.
No specific exhibition history or dates of public display are documented in the provided sources, though the work remains part of the museum's permanent collection in New York.
Context
Wang Su's 1862 hanging scroll "Bringing the Message of Victory to Dongshan" exemplifies history painting through its ink and colored composition on paper. The work portrays equestrianism, a game, a horse, a man and a woman. Classified as a history painting, it was created in China and later entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is documented with dimensions of 143.5 × 80.6 cm. Its inclusion in the museum's catalog and scholarly entries on Wikidata underscore its relevance to studies of 19th‑century Chinese visual culture.
Overview
Wang Su's "Bringing the Message of Victory to Dongshan" is an ink and color painting on a hanging scroll, depicting a jubilant celebration. The artwork presents a bustling hillside scene teeming with numerous small figures. It captures a moment of collective joy and triumph, rendered with intricate detail on paper.
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