Currently not on view
Poem on Greenwood Shade and Azure Mountains,
undated
Zha Shibiao 查士標, 1615–1698
Chinese
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
1998-112
Zha Shibiao’s early pursuit of an official career was abruptly curtailed by the fall of the Ming dynasty in 1644. Forced to earn a living through other means, Zha turned to painting and calligraphy. This work epitomizes the restrained grace and fluid writing style of Zha’s calligraphy. The widely spaced characters that alternate between thick, dark lines and thin, light strokes give a tempo to the viewing experience that is further reinforced by the cadence of the poem: Layers upon layers of greenwood shade, the birds are singing; Wild grass and fragrant flowers despoiled by the night’s rain. The heavens disperse the drifting clouds, until wholly swept away; Allowing one, all along the road, to see the azure mountains.
Information
Title
Poem on Greenwood Shade and Azure Mountains
Dates
undated
Maker
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
Dimensions
Calligraphy: 139.5 x 52.1 cm. (54 15/16 x 20 1/2 in.)
Mount: 248.5 x 69.5 cm. (97 13/16 x 27 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of John B. Elliott, Class of 1951
Object Number
1998-112
Place Made
Asia, China
Signatures
signed
Culture
Period
Materials
–1998 John B. Elliott (Princeton, NJ), by bequest to the Princeton University Art Museum, 1998.
