Seal Script after Deng Shiru

Maker(s)
Artist: Jin Cheng (1878-1926)
Historical period(s)
Modern period, early 20th century
Medium
Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 29.6 x 62.7 cm (11 5/8 x 24 11/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Freer Gallery of Art
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1997.86
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Album, Calligraphy
Type

Fan (mounted as album leaf)

Keywords
China, copy, Modern period (1912 - present), Robert Hatfield Ellsworth collection
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

 On Longevity Hill on Mount Song, there are
 four characters formed by a pattern of moss and
 flowers, which read: The Cavern of Divine Purity.
                  Within the cave, a flowing stream churns and   
                  murmurs, bounded by green pines and a vermilion
                  gate. Only those immortals who are loyal or filial   
                  may reside here. It is said that Ouyang Yongshu                     
[Ouyang Xiu] once roamed here.

The cave described in this brief text is located on Mount Song in Henan Province, one of the five sacred mountains of Chinese antiquity. Chinese tradition valued loyalty (zhong) and filial piety (xiao) above all other virtues, and outstanding exemplars were often singled out and honored by the throne. For example, the designation "loyal and cultured" (zhong wen) was posthumously conferred on the great Song dynasty writer, scholar, and statesman Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072), who once visited the cave.

Translation by Stephen D. Allee

Published References
  • Thomas Lawton, Thomas W. Lentz. Beyond the Legacy: Anniversary Acquisitions for the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. vol. 1 Washington, 1998. pp. 256-261.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Whistler's Neighborhood
Google Cultural Institute
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