Wang Shen's Self-Inscribed Poems and Verses - Selections of Ink Rubbings by Famous Artists of Past Generations (24)

Author: Sun Baowen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The Wen Fu (Rhapsody on Literature), written by the Western Jin Dynasty litterateur Lu Ji, is a systematic treatise on literary creation in the form of fu (a classical Chinese literary genre). This work is a complete and systematic theory of literary creation in the history of Chinese literary theory. During the early Tang Dynasty, Lu Jiance, the nephew of the renowned calligrapher Yu Shidao, wrote the Wen Fu in running script. This ink scroll, on paper, measures 259 mm in height and 355.2 cm in width, has been passed down through generations of collectors and is inscribed with numerous comments by famous calligraphers. It is now preserved in the Taipei Palace Museum.
The Yuan Dynasty calligrapher Zhao Mengfu highly praised Lu Jiance's calligraphic art and benefited greatly from it. The famous calligrapher Jie Huishi remarked, "Among Tang Dynasty calligraphic works, those with a strong structure and the style of the Jin Dynasty are rarely seen except in this scroll." Wang Shen (1036–1093), styled Jinqing, was a native of Taiyuan and a Song Dynasty painter and calligrapher. His landscape paintings, neither ancient nor modern, formed a unique style. His surviving works include Fish Village in Light Snow and Layered Peaks over Smoky River, among others. His calligraphy also had a distinctive style, with surviving ink works, in addition to this scroll, including inscriptions and poems on the back of Layered Peaks over Smoky River.
This ink scroll was written by the calligrapher in the early years of the Yuanyou era. It begins by recording his boat trip with Han Chiguo and Fan Jingren on West Lake, where they recited poetry and sang. Later, it includes the poems of the three and a stanza of the Butterfly Lovers song. At the time, the calligrapher was already in his fifties. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty commented, "Wang Shen's self-written poetry and lyrics show a bold and vigorous brushwork." Some experts believe that his calligraphy has a tight structure, with many horizontal strokes and sharp edges, giving it a unique style. This ink scroll, on paper, measures 31.3 cm in height and 271.9 cm in width, is preserved in the Palace Museum. It is now published to delight the (calligraphy enthusiasts). For the convenience of readers, the text is appended at the end.