明 王鏊 贈別詩 軸|Farewell Poem
dated 1498
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
Dimensions
Image: 81 1/2 x 25 in. (207 x 63.5 cm) Overall: 130 x 34 1/2 in. (330.2 x 87.6 cm) Overall with rollers: 130 x 36 1/2 in. (330.2 x 92.7 cm)
Classification
Calligraphy
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The C. C. Wang Family Collection, Gift of C. C. Wang, 1997
Accession Number
1997.438.2
Art Historical Context
Wang Ao's *Farewell Poem* (贈別詩 ), dated 1498, is a masterful hanging scroll of ink calligraphy on paper, exemplifying the refined artistry of China's Ming dynasty (1368–1644). As a prominent scholar-official, Wang Ao crafted this poignant work, blending poetry and brushwork to convey sentiments of parting. The large-scale format—over 10 feet tall—invites viewers to unroll and immerse themselves in its rhythmic lines, a traditional Chinese practice for appreciating literati art in scholarly gatherings or private studios. Ming calligraphy like this revered the written word as a path to moral an...