Roaring Strength on Paper: Experience the Intensity of Dai Song’s Tang Dynasty Bullfight

  • Artwork name
    Fighting Bulls Scroll
  • Author and dynasty
    Dai Song (戴松) / Tang Dynasty (618–906)
  • Dimensions
    Light color on paper
  • Collection source
    National Palace Museum, Taipei
  • License
    Public Domain Content: Free for Personal & Commercial Use
  • Museum-Quality HD TIF, 10552 × 4164 pixel, size: 114.7 MB
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Artwork Author

Dai Song (戴松), Tang Dynasty (618–906), Dai Song is traditionally recognized as a painter from the Tang dynasty, having studied under the renowned artist Han Huang. He was reputed for his exceptional skill in depicting oxen, earning acclaim for surpassing his mentor. Dai Song’s paintings of cattle are noted for their precise structure, vivid forms, and majestic aura. Additionally, he excelled in illustrating pastoral scenes, infusing his works with a strong sense of rural life and natural beauty, reflecting the distinctive aesthetic and profound humanistic spirit of the Tang art scene. Although the “Fighting Bulls Scroll” may be a reproduction from before the mid-Ming period, its artistic style and techniques still embody Dai Song’s mastery and artistic vision.

Artwork Story

Attributed to the Tang dynasty painter Dai Song, this ancient work—rendered on paper with a light application of color—vividly captures two bulls locked in fierce combat. One bull forcefully thrusts its horns, while the other rotates dynamically, exuding an air of defiant resilience despite its apparent disadvantage. The bulls are portrayed with robust, muscular forms and a palpable vitality, evoking an impression of raw power that seems capable of overwhelming multitudes. This dynamic scene not only reflects the folk tradition of bull fighting, said to have originated in the Qin dynasty, but also exemplifies the distinctive capacity of traditional Chinese painting to capture the fluidity and energy of animal movement.

Fighting Bulls Scroll

Artistic Features

  • Composition and Movement
    The artist skillfully orchestrates a composition that is both dynamic and balanced. The interplay between the forceful, clashing horns and the swirling, rotational motion of the bulls forms the central narrative of the scene. Through the judicious use of negative space and subtle color washes, the work achieves a harmonious balance between energy and tranquility. The vigorous yet refined brushwork captures both the raw power and the delicate nuances of the animals’ musculature, creating a compelling synthesis of strength and grace.
  • Color and Technique
    Executed in the traditional medium of paper with shallow color application, the scroll employs a restrained and natural palette that echoes the aesthetic values of classical ink painting. The artist’s deft brush techniques delineate the contours and textures of the bulls with precision, imparting a sense of three-dimensionality and movement. While the portrayal is highly realistic, it also conveys an underlying folkloric and historical resonance, imbuing the scene with layers of cultural significance.

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