Artist: Zhao Puchu

Date: Modern

Material: Ink on paper

• Object Type：
  • CALLIGRAPHY
• Location：
  • Zhao Puchu Gallery
• Tag：
  • poem du fu running script mounted sheet zhao puchu modern ink paper

On the winter solstice of 1985, the seventy-nine-year-old gentleman watched a Kunqü play titled Ballad Singing: The Palace of Eternal Life at the Jixiang Theatre. There, he saw the renowned actor Fu Runsen play the role of an ancient musician Li Guinian once again. Inspired by this encounter, he transcribed Du Fu's poem Meet Li Guinian in Jiangnan to express his delight in 'meeting you again at the time of falling blossoms'. This calligraphic work was executed on a piece of contemporary Xue Tao Jian (薛涛笺), an imitation of the coloured letter paper made from hibiscus bark in Chengdu by the Tang dynasty poetess Xue Tao. Zhao's elegant and exquisite handwriting perfectly echoes the poem and the beautiful writing paper.