明 陳繼儒 行書五絕詩 書法 扇|Calligraphy

Art Historical Context

This elegant calligraphy by Chen Jiru (1558–1639) captures the refined spirit of late Ming dynasty scholar-artists. Created in running script (xingshu), the work presents a five-character quatrain poem across a folding fan format. Chen, a celebrated literati figure known for his reclusive lifestyle and wide-ranging talents in painting, poetry, and connoisseurship, infused his brushwork with fluid, expressive energy that balanced spontaneity and classical restraint. The medium—ink on gold-flecked paper—adds a subtle shimmer that enhances the fan’s intimate scale. Originally designed for personal use and social exchange, such fans were often mounted into albums for preservation, allowing later generations to appreciate the calligrapher’s dynamic strokes and poetic sensibility. This piece exemplifies how Ming elites elevated everyday objects into vehicles for artistic and literary expression. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum in 1913, the work offers visitors a glimpse into the cultural importance of calligraphy as both a meditative practice and a marker of cultivated taste in traditional China.