Divine Steeds - Horse Paintings Exhibition at the Palace Museum

The Palace Museum has launched a blockbuster exhibition, "Divine Steeds: The World of Horses in the Palace Museum's Painting and Calligraphy Art," at the Wenhua Hall. Running until June 21, the exhibition features 55 rare masterpieces, including 20 grade-one national treasures and 28 items displayed to the public for the very first time.

Divided into four themes—Travel, Pasturing, Martial Prowess, and Divine Steeds—the showcase explores the deep cultural significance of horses in Chinese history. The absolute centerpiece is the authentic Copy of Wei Yan's Pasturing Horses by Song dynasty master Li Gonglin. Exhibited for the first time since 2015 in an independent showcase, this breathtaking scroll depicts an astonishing 1,286 horses in dynamic postures.

Visitors can also marvel at the newly debuted Hundred Horses scroll (which interestingly features the ancient custom of keeping monkeys in stables to prevent horse diseases), Jin dynasty's Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum, and iconic works by later masters like Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining) and Xu Beihong. It is an unmissable visual feast for art and history enthusiasts!

Date: Apr 22 - Jun 21, 2026 

Location: Wenhua Hall (Painting and Calligraphy Gallery), The Palace Museum, Beijing