Artist: Deng Shiru (1743-1805)
Date: Qing (1644-1911)
Dimensions: Height 179.8 cm, Width 56.8 cm
Material: Ink on paper
Deng Shiru (1743-1805), originally named Yan, is also known by his zi (designated name) Shiru and hao (literary name) Wanbai Shanren, native to Huaining in Anhui. Later he changed his zi to Wanbo and used his zi widely, instead of using Yan which was also the name of Emperor Jiaqing; otherwise, it would be considered a serious breach of decorum. Deng was skilled in calligraphy and seal engraving, especially adept in seal and clerical scripts. This work, Lü Shang Preparing to Meet King Wen of the Zhou, is one of his seal script works transcribing the poems Four Extolments by Yu Xin. The calligrapher integrated the seal script with the clerical script, featuring characters with well-balanced structures in a dignified appeal.
