Selected Calligraphic Works Through the Ages Ming Wen Zhengming's "Running Script Poem Scroll": Ming Wen Zhengming's "Running Script Poem Scroll"

Author: Jiang Yin
Publisher: Xiling Press
Publication Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Ming Dynasty calligraphy, which primarily traces its characteristics back to the Jin and Tang dynasties from the Song and Yuan periods. Prominent calligraphers in this mainstream include Liu Ji, Song Sui, Wei Su, Song Guang, Tao Zongyi, Yu Fu, Shen Du, Shen Can, Xie Jin, Xia Chang, Li Dongyang, Wang Renzhi, Wang Cheng, Chen Chun, Wang Shizhen, and Chen Jiru, among whom the most famous are Zhu Yunming, Wen Zhengming, and Dong Qichang. Another category is known for their creative style, with main figures such as Song Ke, Chen Xianzhang, Zhang Bi, Xu Wei, Zhang Ruitu, Huang Daozhou, and Ni Yuanlu.
Wen Zhengming (1470–1559), originally named Bi (also written as Bi), styled Zhengming, later used his style name as his given name, and changed it to Zhengcu, with the sobriquet Hengshan, referring to himself as the "Hengshan Resident." He was from Changzhou (now Wuxing County, Jiangsu). His second son, Wen Jia, described his calligraphy as follows: "[Initially, he imitated the calligraphy of the Song and Yuan dynasties. Once he grasped the brush technique, he completely abandoned it and focused solely on the styles of the Jin and Tang dynasties.] His running script imitates Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, and the Holy Teachings. Shen Zhou studied Huang Tingjian's calligraphy, and Wen followed Shen in painting, thus being heavily influenced by Huang's calligraphy. He was renowned during his time, with numerous students, forming the Wu Gate Painting School, and was known alongside Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying as the Four Talents of Wu. His fame was significant, and he was collectively known with Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying as the Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty.
Running Script Poem Scroll, ink rubbing, running script. Collected by the Lin Family's Orchid Thousand Mountains Collection. This scroll was written two years before the 88-year-old Wen Zhengming passed away. Similar to other late works, this scroll also preserves the charm of Huang Tingjian, with sharp and swift brushwork, strong and vigorous strokes, upright yet elastic, and unrestrained and expansive brush movements. It adheres to rules within nature, revealing personality. Although he wielded the long spear and broad shield of Huang Gongwang, there was not the slightest hint of restlessness, harshness, superficiality, or wildness, which can also be considered an expression of the person and calligraphy both aging gracefully.