Artist: Zhao Puchu

Date: Modern

Material: Ink on paper

• Object Type：
  • CALLIGRAPHY
• Location：
  • Zhao Puchu Gallery
• Tag：
  • copy poem zhao wenkai running script hanging scroll zhao puchu modern ink paper

Zhao Wenkai, the great-grandfather of Zhao Puchu, was the Zhuangyuan (the title given to the person who achieved first place in the highest imperial examination) in the first year (1796) of the Jiaqing reign. Renowned for his mental acuity from an early age, he started school at the age of six. One day, he was asked by his grandfather, Zhao Xiangxian, to write a five-character quatrain about the blackbird outside the window. He instantly improvised the poem, stating: '(The blackbird) outshines all other birds (while perching) on the branch.' The pure and erudite heritage of the Zhao family, represented by four generations of Hanlin (aka. academicians), particularly Zhao Wenkai, greatly influenced Zhao Puchu. This work features fleshy brushwork rendered with unworldly and unadorned grace.