Calligraphy Fan in Xiao Kai Shu Script, 1585
Du Dazhongexpand_more
Ink on gold paperexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2005.54.1
On View in Gallery 203expand_more
Du Dazhong, a Ming official, was a noted Suzhou calligrapher and a member of the Wu school group of writers associated with Wang Zhiteng (1535-1612). This calligraphy fan, carefully written in Xiao Kai Shu (small regular script), is the recreation of an extraordinarily dense prose poem composed by the Tang poet Yang Jiong (650-c. 694) titled "Prose Poem While Leaning on the Study Desk," which the poet wrote on a paper fan in a moment of inspiration after gazing upon mountain peaks shrouded in mist and rain. The verse recounts the serious rigor of true scholarship.
A few lines read:
Scholars have transmitted the classics and are involved in extending knowledge to the utmost...
They have exerted themselves in study questing after improvement...
How can a scholar sleep in peaceful withdrawal...
Let him emulate the national craftsmen and develop their skill.
May he model himself on mountains and forests, taking them as his pattern...
Details
- Title
- Calligraphy Fan in Xiao Kai Shu Script
- Artist Life
- late 16th century
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2005.54.1
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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