Four Poems: Calligraphy in Cursive Script (xingshu)
1500s-1600s
Medium
handscroll; ink on gold speckled paper
Dimensions
33 × 794.4 cm · calligraphy section: 27 × 195 cm
Classification
Calligraphy
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Dr. Roger Y.K. and Mrs. Evangeline C. Hsu, Dr. Daphne T. Hsu, and Dr. Jeffrey T. Hsu in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou
Accession Number
2004.65
Tags
About this artwork
Written in graceful calligraphy with well-composed characters, the artist communicates his thoughts and state of mind in four poems. Characters written in dark, thick strokes convey rhythm, and indicate the moment after the writer had paused to recharge his brush with ink. Chen Jiru was a native of Huating (modern Shanghai). His calligraphy style resembles that of his friend, influential calligrapher Dong Qichang (1555–1636). Unlike Dong, Chen did not pursue government service: he burned his Con...