博
Artist: Xu Lin (1462-1538)
Date: Ming (1368-1644)
Dimensions: Height 25.8 cm, Width 460.0 cm
Material: Ink on paper
Xu Lin (1462-1538), also known by his zi (designated name) Ziren and his hao (literary names) Jiufeng Daoren and Ranxian, was native to Huating (in present-day Shanghai). He moved to Jinling in his early years. Eight scholars, including him and Du Mu, got acquaintance with Shen Zhou and became renowned. Wen Zhengming also appreciated Xu Lin. He was skilled in music, calligraphy, and bird-and-flower painting. Emperor Wuzong visited his residence twice during his trips to the south and summoned him to serve at the imperial court. Xu Lin was known as "Zhuan Sheng" (literally meaning "saint of the seal script"). In addition, his regular and running scripts exhibited refined elegance. This handscroll contains eight poems on early spring snow, inspired by Zhao Mengfu's style yet tracing back to Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. It demonstrates a gradual departure from the "Tai Ge" style, exhibiting vivid brilliance.
