Artist: Chen Junqing (1113-1186)
Date: Southern Song (1127-1279)
Material: Ink on paper
Chen Junqing (1113-1186), also known by his zi (designated name) Yingqiu, was a native of Putian in Fujian. He became the bangyan (second place in the imperial examinations) of the eighth year (1138) of Shaoxing era, and rose to the Vice Director of Shangshusheng (Department of State Affairs). Skilled in regular script, he learned after Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing. This letter, addressed to a friend, discusses his retirement and recovery from illness. The brushwork is mature, robust, and elegantly refined. It is a work from his late years.
