Artist: Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)
Date: Yuan (1271-1368), dated 1321
Material: Ink on paper
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322) is also known by his zi (designated name) Zi'ang and hao (literary name) Songxue Daoren. A native to Wuxing (present-day Huzhou, Zhejiang province), he was a Hanlin scholar (the emperor's literary retinue). Adept in calligraphy, he was skilled in all scripts and led a profoundly influential trend in the art of calligraphy. This handscroll is the record of Rebuilding the Guangfu Pagoda by the monk Liaoqing. The brushwork is rounded and vigorous yet elegant, conveying a sense of harmony and serene subtlety. It was written in the first year (1321) of the Zhizhi era, when the artist was 68 years old.
