Ngựa (số 4)

In his work *Horse* (Man-Horse, Horse-Man), Nguyen Xuan Tiep does not depict the animal in a natural way, but transforms the image of the horse into a hybrid structure combining the body, face, and mental states of a human being. The two heads of the horse are pressed together, elongated and fragmented by diagonal lines, geometric shapes, and rapid curves, giving the form both instinctive strength and a pensive, uneasy appearance.

The single purple hue of the colored pencils covers the entire surface, creating an ambiguous atmosphere, while the varying shades, layers, and scratches create a continuous rhythm of movement. The mane, horns, ears, and face seem to blend, blurring the boundary between man and horse. The work thus not only evokes a sense of transformation but also opens up a contemplation about the instinctive part of humanity and the human nature projected onto the animal's image.