Created during the Yuan Dynasty, Zhao Mengfu’s painting Sheep and Goat (二羊圖) depicts the two animals in a state of balance and contrast. The goat is stiff and angled, with lines of dry ink used to create its hair strands, while the sheep is stately and rounded, its coat covered in patterns formed of wet ink. Composition-wise, the two animals are depicted facing opposite directions, yet their heads turn back to look at each other, within which a sense of balance is created between the sheep’s raised head and the goat’s lowered head. In addition, the coat of the sheep is mostly white, while the goat’s fleece is dark in colour. Combined together, the animals form a single composition that alludes to the ying-yang symbol in Daoism. This reflects how Zhao’s geometric structuring within his paintings is believed to be connected to his Buddhist and Daoist influences.
Above the depicted animals, Zhao’s inscription in the painting mentions that although his work is beneath ancient masters in technical skill, he believes that he has captured the essences of the animals. Such sentimentality relates to Zhao’s status as an early master within the tradition of literati painters (文人畫), which prioritises personal expression over verisimilitude. This tradition speaks to a trend in Yuan dynasty art, where painters turned away from the artistic conventions of the previous Song dynasty in favour of a painting style that regarded representational likeness as less important. Instead, paintings during this period often alluded to earlier styles, as well as employ calligraphic brushwork.
Sheep and Goat appears to be a simple painting of two animals standing in a quiet landscape. However, the work can also be understood as a reflection of Zhao Mengfu's personal feelings and experiences. Zhao was a descendant of the Song royal family who later served under the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty, placing him in a difficult political position. The sheep and goat may symbolize different types of people or contrasting loyalties. I interpret this painting as a meditation on identity, loyalty, and adaptation. Rather than simply depicting animals, Zhao Mengfu uses them to express his thoughts about living through political change while maintaining a connection to tradition. loose brushwork and expressive lines, Zhao demonstrates that painting is not only about creating a realistic image but also about conveying emotion and character.
