On Calligraphy
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.明 張瑞圖 行書書評十二條屏 絹本
In this set of twelve scrolls, Zhang Ruitu transcribes a commentary on twenty-five calligraphers composed by Yuan Ang (461–540), an artist and minister at the court of the Liang dynasty (r. 502–57), where both literary and art criticism first flourished in China. While some of the calligraphers discussed, like Wang Xizhi (ca. 303–ca. 361) and Wang Xianzhi (344–386), are towering figures in art history, many of them are unknown today. Zhang writes in a forceful style marked by sharp angles and characters that are taller than they are wide.
In this set of twelve scrolls, Zhang Ruitu transcribes a commentary on twenty-five calligraphers composed by Yuan Ang (461–540), an artist and minister at the court of the Liang dynasty (r. 502–57), where both literary and art criticism first flourished in China. While some of the calligraphers discussed, like Wang Xizhi (ca. 303–ca. 361) and Wang Xianzhi (344–386), are towering figures in art history, many of them are unknown today. Zhang writes in a forceful style marked by sharp angles and characters that are taller than they are wide.
Artwork Details
- 明朝 張瑞圖 行書 《書評 》 十二條屏 絹本
- Title: On Calligraphy
- Calligrapher: Zhang Ruitu (Chinese, 1570–1641)
- Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Date: 1635
- Culture: China
- Medium: Set of twelve hanging scrolls; ink on silk
- Dimensions: Image (each scroll): 66 1/2 × 17 3/8 in. (168.9 × 44.1 cm)
Overall with mounting (each scroll): 76 1/2 × 19 1/8 in. (194.3 × 48.6 cm) - Classification: Calligraphy
- Credit Line: Lent by Guanyuan Shanzhuang Collection
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art