Book and Painting Chronicle - (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Wu Qizhen
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-09-01
Features: The Catalogue of Calligraphy and Painting is a book on calligraphy and painting catalogues written by Wu Qizhen during the Qing Dynasty. It was originally included in the Four Treasuries Collection under the category of Art in the Zang (Miscellaneous) Division. However, it cannot be found in the Outline of the Imperially Appointed edition of the Four Treasuries Collection. The reason is that during the compilation of the Four Treasuries Collection, some books deemed to have "obscure and distant implications" were discovered, leading to an imperial decree for strict investigation and destruction. As a result, The Catalogue of Calligraphy and Painting and more than ten other books, including Zhou Lianggong's Record of Reading, were withdrawn and destroyed. Due to these circumstances, only a few manuscript copies of the book have survived. The book records ancient calligraphy and painting works that the author saw or acquired in various places, as well as notes on interactions with people from all walks of life. The works recorded range from the eighth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty to the sixteenth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, arranged in chronological order based on when they were seen or acquired. The description of each work follows this sequence: material, preservation condition, artistic features, inscriptions, colophons, collection seals, and appraisals by others or the author, followed by the note of who it was viewed by, where, and when. Brief introductions are also provided for collectors and traders. The level of detail in each entry depends on the importance of the work. Additionally, the book records information about lesser-known appraisers, antique dealers, and calligraphy and painting framers, supplementing the lack of documentation in this field. The ancient calligraphy and painting works recorded in this book are invaluable resources for today's authentication and evaluation of calligraphy and painting, and they hold great reference value for the study of ancient calligraphy and painting.