Letter

late 15th or early 16th century

Not on view

Wang Ao was a gifted scholar from Suzhou who rose to become a Grand Secretary, one of the most prominent posts in the imperial bureaucracy. The text of this letter is decorous but light on content; mostly it is taken up with expressions of gratitude for previous letters and apologies for missing a chance to meet in person. Although the letter is perfunctory, the luxurious hydrangea-print stationery and the sinuous brushwork from a famous hand made this an object worth treasuring.

Artwork Details

明　王鏊　行書致管方伯書　冊頁
Title: Letter
Artist: Wang Ao (Chinese, 1450–1524)
Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Date: late 15th or early 16th century
Culture: China
Medium: Album leaf; ink on patterned paper
Dimensions: 9 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (24.1 x 29.2 cm)
Classification: Calligraphy
Credit Line: Bequest of John M. Crawford Jr., 1988
Object Number: 1989.363.50
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Wang Ao

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Farewell Poem, Wang Ao Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, China — Farewell Poem
Wang Ao
dated 1498

Poem on growing old, Wang Ao Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink on gold-patterned paper, China — Poem on growing old
Wang Ao
16th century

Sadaksari-Lokeshvara Surrounded by Manifestations and Monks, Distemper, gold and ink on cloth, Tibet — Sadaksari-Lokeshvara Surrounded by Manifestations and Monks
Tibet
late 15th century

The Sixteen Luohans, Wu Bin Chinese, Handscroll; ink and color on paper, China — The Sixteen Luohans
Wu Bin
dated 1591

The Gopis Plead with Krishna to Return Their Clothing: Folio from "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana, Master of the "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana, Opaque watercolor and ink on paper, North India (Delhi -Agra area) — The Gopis Plead with Krishna to Return Their Clothing: Folio from "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana
Master of the "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana
ca. 1560–65

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