Five Oxen

Five Oxen, a work on paper by Tang dynasty artist Han Huang, is the oldest surviving Chinese painting on paper. It depicts five oxen standing in a row, each rendered with vivid realism and distinct character, reflecting the Tang era’s deep appreciation for everyday life.

With clean, precise lines, the artist captures the oxen’s strength, rough hides, and calm demeanor. Each has its own character—steady, playful, watchful, or at ease. Against an empty background, their essence commands attention: not merely draft animals, but vivid individuals, fully alive.

This painting embodies a quiet yet powerful realism in Chinese art. Without exaggeration or sentimentality, its sincere and focused portrayal of ordinary animals expresses a profound respect for nature and labor. Through Han Huang’s eyes, the oxen are not just symbols of an agrarian society — they are lives worthy of contemplation and admiration.