明 陳繼儒 行書劉敬仲事宜 冊|Essay for Liu Jingzhong
Medium
Album of eight leaves; ink on gold-flecked paper
Dimensions
11 13/16 x 6 1/8 in. (30 x 15.6 cm)
Classification
Calligraphy
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of John M. Crawford Jr., 1988
Accession Number
1989.363.103
Art Historical Context
This exquisite album, titled *Essay for Liu Jingong* (行書劉敬仲事冊), showcases the masterful running script (xingshu) calligraphy of Chen Jiru, a leading Ming dynasty (1368–1644)-artist. Comprising eight delicate leaves, each measuring about 12 x 6 inches, it captures the essence of literati culture, where calligraphy was not just writing but a profound expression of personality, intellect, and harmony with nature. Chen's fluid, rhythmic strokes reflect the Ming era's reverence for Song and Yuan dynasty masters, blending spontaneity with refined elegance. Crafted in ink on gold-flecked paper—a lux...