Farmer on a Horse 1790

Yokoi Kinkoku's "Farmer on a Horse" (1790) depicts a lone figure mounted on horseback against a muted background. The minimalist style is characteristic of Kinkoku's work, which draws heavily from the literati tradition emphasizing simplicity and natural beauty. The artwork, which is now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art collection, showcases the artist's mastery of ink and wash, using subtle shades of grey and brown to create a sense of serenity and quietude. Kinkoku's work often incorporates elements of the natural world, as seen here in the willow tree and the delicate brushstrokes that evoke grasses.