Exhibition of Horses in Visual Arts

The image of the horse appeared quite early and is common in ancient art, folk art, applied art, and modern and contemporary art. This zodiac animal symbolizes strength and loyalty. In the present context, the image of the horse continues to be seen as a symbol of aspiration, carrying a message of good fortune and success.

To celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi ) is organizing a special exhibition on horses in visual arts.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh, Director of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, said that the exhibition introduces 60 selected works from the museum's collection on the image of horses. "These are applied art and folk art artifacts that demonstrate the skillful technique, observational ability, and realistic and flexible depiction of ancient artisans," said Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh.

In visual arts, horses have become a successful subject for generations of artists. They appear in the works of many famous painters and sculptors, each with different expressive nuances.

At the exhibition, the public can admire the image of the horse in two national treasures: Gióng (by the renowned painter Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm) and Uncle Ho in the Việt Bắc war zone (by the renowned painter Dương Bích Liên). Horses are closely associated with heroism and national spirit, most notably through the image of Saint Gióng in the works of Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm, and the historical-epic works of Ngô Mạnh Lân and Lê Công Thành. There, traditional elements blend with modern brushstrokes, creating a powerful resonance of indomitable will and the aspiration to protect the nation.

Closely intertwined with the lives of the people in the highlands, the horse is not only a domestic animal but also a companion in daily life and work. This image is vividly portrayed in works such as "Feeding the Horse," "Preparing to Go to the Market" (To Ngoc Van), "The Child Riding a Horse" (Bui Xuan Phai)...

During the resistance period, the image of the horse appeared realistically, associated with arduous marches and supply work, in works such as: "Carrying Military Supplies" (Nguyen Sy Tot), "Soldiers and Horses" (Nguyen Tien Chung). Particularly, works like "Leaving the Grass Hut, Uncle Ho Continues Marching" (Nguyen Trong Kiem), "Uncle Ho on a Mission" (Nguyen Thu), "Viet Bac in Spring" (Giang To), "Spring in the War Zone" (Tran Chat) depict the familiar image of the horse alongside Uncle Ho during the years of resistance.

Through this exhibition, the image of the horse is not only recreated as a familiar domesticated animal, associated with labor and combat, but also becomes an emotionally rich artistic symbol, reflecting the depth of culture and national spirit. The exhibition runs from now until March 1, 2026.

VINH XUAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/trien-lam-ngua-trong-nghe-thuat-tao-hinh-post837664.html