明/清 佚名 傳史道碩 八駿圖 卷|Eight Horses

The handscroll known as Eight Horses is attributed to the artist Zhao Mengfu, though the work is dated to 1639, which postdates the artist's death in 1322. This discrepancy suggests the piece is likely a later work from the Ming or Qing dynasty created under his name or style, consistent with the title's designation as "transmitted" by the earlier master. The painting was executed in China using ink and color on silk.

It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The scroll measures 29.5 cm in height and 264.8 cm in width.

The handscroll titled “Eight Horses” (明/清　佚名　傳史道碩　八駿圖　卷) was painted by Zhao Mengfu in 1639 using ink and color on silk. It is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in New York, where it is catalogued as held by the museum; the specific inventory number is not disclosed in the available records. The work depicts horses and belongs to the landscape genre of Chinese painting. No exhibition history is mentioned in the sources consulted.

This hand‑scroll painting, executed on silk with ink and subtle colour, presents a procession of eight horses moving across a landscape. The work dates from the late Ming to early Qing period and is attributed to an anonymous artist, though it is frequently associated with the medieval Chinese painter Shi Daoshi.

Equine subjects were a common motif in Chinese court and literati art, often used to demonstrate an artist’s skill in rendering anatomy and motion. This piece aligns with that tradition while also reflecting the evolving aesthetic preferences of the early Qing period.

The work is frequently mentioned alongside the paintings of Zhao Mengfu, whose animal studies share a comparable liveliness. It continues to be referenced in discussions of Chinese horse painting for its dynamic composition and refined brush technique.