Accession Number
1965/2.75

Title
Ode on a Wanli-era Imperial Brush

Artist(s)
Shitao (Shih-t'ao)

Object Creation Date
1705

Medium & Support
ink on paper

Dimensions
43 in. x 15 3/8 in. ( 109.2 cm x 39 cm )

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Label copy
Shitao
China, ca. 1638–1720

Ode on a Wanli-Era Imperial Brush
Qing dynasty (1644–1912)
1705
Hanging scroll, ink on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection
Fund, 1965/2.75
A descendant of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) imperial family,
Shitao was a child during the Manchu invasion of 1644, and
became a Buddhist monk to avoid persecution. He traveled widely,
associating with the intellectuals and artists known as literati, and
became an accomplished theorist, painter, and calligrapher.
Shitao wrote this poem in running script (xing shu) just two
years before his death. It is an expression of deep gratitude to
a Buddhist abbot who had presented him with a valuable old
brush with a porcelain handle. Calligraphy was considered one
of the highest arts in East Asia because it was thought to reveal
the writer’s literary abilities and deep understanding of artistic
traditions. As nothing can be reworked, it also demonstrates
the writer’s dexterity and skill with a brush and ink. This
extraordinary work is one of the few surviving examples of
Shitao’s calligraphy in the hanging scroll format.
The text may be loosely translated as:
This “Easing-heat” brush with a porcelain handle originated in the
Wanli era. It experienced many profound affinities when wielded by the
imperial forearm.
My dream of nationhood has dissolved away, yet I still cherish the ashes
of my hometown. Profoundly moved and beyond speech, I hesitate and
ponder over every word I inscribe. In the early summer of 1705, I felt
grateful to the venerable Master Juegong, who bestowed upon me a brush
belonging to my late ancestor Emperor Shenzong. Examining it over
and over, I could not bear to let it leave my hands. So I executed this
calligraphy for the master with utmost appreciation.

Subject matter
The poem is an expression of deep gratitude toward a Buddhist abbot who had presented him with a valuable old brush with a porcelain handle.
The text of Shitao’s calligraphy may be loosely rendered as:
This “Easing-heat” brush with a porcelain handle originated in the Wanli era (1573–1620).
It experienced many profound affinities when wielded by the [imperial] forearm.
[My] dream of nationhood has dissolved away, [yet I still] cherish the ashes of my hometown.
Profoundly moved and beyond speech, [I] hesitate and ponder over every word [I inscribe].
In the early summer of 1705, [I felt] grateful to the venerable Master Juegong, who bestowed upon me a brush belonging to my late ancestor Emperor Shenzong. Examining it over and over, I could not bear to let it leave my hands. So I executed this calligraphy [for the master] with utmost appreciation.

Physical Description
Calligraphy of a poem written in running script and including three artist's seals and the artist's signature.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
calligraphy (process)
hanging scrolls
literati (painters)
poems