博
Artist: Chen Zilong (1608-1647)
Date: Ming (1368-1644)
Material: Ink on paper
Chen Zilong (1608-1647), also known by his zi (designated name) Wozi and hao (literary name) Dazun, was a native of Huating (in present-day Shanghai). He became jinshi (a successful candidate in the imperial examination) in the tenth year (1637) of the Chongzhen reign. He excelled in poetry and prose and was regarded as the leading figure of the "Yunjian School". In the late Ming, he co-founded the Jishe (Ji Society, a society aiming to restore the Ming) with Xia Yunyi (1596-1645) and others. He repeatedly organized troops to resist the Qing, but after being defeated, he was captured and drowned himself. He was posthumously awarded the honorary title "Zhongyu". They were exemplary Wu region figures of Ming loyalism and sacrificed themselves. The recipient of this letter is Wu Peichang from Huating, mayor of Renhe county. In the letter, Chen speaks of his family's financial difficulties and expresses gratitude for Wu's assistance in a certain matter.
