Artist: Xia Heng (1392-1464)

Date: Ming (1368-1644)

Material: Ink on paper

• Object Type：
  • CALLIGRAPHY
• Location：
  • The Painting and Calligraphy of Shanghai Gallery
• Tag：
  • hillock gumu pond clerical script album leaf xia heng ming ink paper

Xia Heng (1392-1464), also known by his zi (designated name) Yiping and his hao (literary name) Chu'an, was native to Huating (in present-day Shanghai). During the Yongle era, on the recommendation of Shen Du for his excellence in regular script, Xia Heng was appointed as Zhongshu Sheren (Court Drafter) and later rose to Taichangsi Qing (Minister of the Department of Rituals and Sacrifices). Skilled in painting, Xia painted landscape after Huang Gongwang's style. He was also adept in painting bamboo and rocks. This work is a transcription of the renowned prose by the Tang dynasty writer Liu Zongyuan. The clerical script is archaic and classic, strictly adhering to formal principles while displaying rich variation. Xia was a key representative of calligraphers from Songjiang after Shen Du and Shen Can, all of whom excelled in the "Tai Ge" script and wrote for steles in their hometown.