Animal Series 走獸系列

走獸畫是中國傳統繪畫的重要門類，描繪馬、虎、鹿、牛及神獸等各類動物。此畫科在唐代興盛，宮廷畫師以精細筆法描繪動物生態，至宋代工筆技法更加成熟，細節逼真；後世則多以寫意風格表現動物的神韻與動態，以簡練筆觸展現生命氣息。動物常寓意吉祥，如馬象徵奔騰活力，虎代表威嚴權勢，鹿寓意長壽與富貴。

Animal painting is an important genre in traditional Chinese art, depicting various creatures such as horses, tigers, deer, oxen, and mythical beasts. This art form flourished during the Tang dynasty, where court painters used fine brushwork to capture the natural essence of animals. By the Song dynasty, gongbi (meticulous brushwork) techniques had become highly refined, achieving remarkable realism. In later periods, artists favoured the xieyi (expressive freehand) style, using bold and fluid strokes to convey the spirit and movement of animals. Animal paintings often carry auspicious symbolism, with horses representing vitality and progress, tigers symbolising authority and power, and deer associated with longevity and prosperity.