Lanting Preface Five - Zhao Mengfu's Ink Masterpieces Selection 15

Author: Zhao Mengquan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-08-01
Features: This book collects Zhao Mengquan's calligraphy works. Compared to the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" by Chu Suiliang, Zhao's rendition is remarkably lifelike, almost indistinguishable from the original. As Dong Qichang once remarked, "Zhao's work is remarkably similar to Chu's." This scroll is followed by inscriptions from calligraphers such as Qiu Chen, Dong Qichang, Zhang Zhao, and the Cheng Zong Wang during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and it was once part of the imperial collection of the Qing court. The second piece, "After the Orchid Pavilion Preface," is on silk, in a fan leaf format. The first to fifth scrolls measure 242 mm in height and 122 mm in width, followed by inscriptions from Qing calligraphers like Zhang Zhao. It is now housed in the Suzhou Museum. The third piece, "After the Orchid Pavilion Preface," is on paper, measuring 261 mm in height and 1138 mm in width, and is currently preserved in the Wuxi Museum. This scroll was written by Zhao in his later years and bears the collection seal of Xiang Yuanbing. "After the Jingxin Version of the Orchid Pavilion Preface" is on silk, measuring 274 mm in height and 1620 mm in width, and is now held in the Palace Museum. Wu Sen, styled Jingxin, was from Jiaxing. In the ninth month of the Zadai era, he accompanied Zhao on a journey northward in a boat. Wu carried a copy of the "Orchid Pavilion Preface" by Dingwu, which deeply impressed Zhao. During the over thirty days of the journey, Zhao created this scroll. At the end of the scroll, there is a lengthy inscription by Zhao's grandson, Wang Meng.