Running Horses 1965

Tadashi Nakayama's 'Running Horses' is a print of dynamic, angular forms in black, white, silver, and a rusty red. You can feel the artist's hand in the arrangement of these shapes; each decision builds the rhythm of the horses' movement. I imagine Nakayama-san carefully considering each line, each color, maybe even humming to himself as he worked. The silver shimmers—it's almost like the flash of sunlight on their manes as they gallop. Look how the horses overlap, creating a sense of depth and energy. Each horse is simplified, almost abstracted, but still so full of life. It reminds me a little of Franz Marc, but with a Japanese sensibility. I love to think about how artists pick up ideas from each other across time and space. These horses seem to be born from Nakayama's unique vision, while still nodding to a rich tradition of animal painting. It’s this conversation that keeps art vital, isn't it?