Poem by Sun Yiyuan in running script

Object Details

• Artist

  Ni Yuanlu (1594-1644)

• Calligrapher

  Colophon by Yao Nai (1731-1815)

• Label

  Ni Yuanlu underwent many vicissitudes in his career at the imperial court in Beijing. When the capital fell to rebel forces in 1644 and the last Ming emperor hanged himself in despair, Ni Yuanlu and twenty other loyal court officials, dejected over their failure to protect the dynasty, also committed suicide.

  Ni Yuanlu is especially admired as a calligrapher for the quirky individuality of his slanted, angular style of running script. He wrote with great force, seeming almost to dig his brush into the writing surface. Mounted on the right of the scroll, a colophon by the famous Qing dynasty scholar Yao Nai (1732--1815) praises the "lean strength" of Ni's writing. Ni Yuanlu's undated text is titled Impromptu Poem While Drinking Wine:

  I'll not just lie about with bound feet at the south window,

  But fare abroad ten-thousand li wherever they shall lead me.

  How can I be unconcerned with precious books and long sword?

  In the light of day, I'll sing aloud at any thing of wonder.

  Since Master Yang encountered only scorn in writing Mystery,

  I will take Du Fu, who drank deeply, to truly be my teacher.

  And there's no need to ask what I shall do with all my life,

  I'll follow along and watch the hills, bamboo staff in hand.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Masterpieces of Chinese Calligraphy (June 7, 1994 to March 20, 1995)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Calligraphy

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1590s, 1640s

• Name

  Yao, Nai, Ni, Yuanlu

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Wine and wine making, Art, Chinese Art, Food habits, Poetry, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), Running script

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Calligraphy (visual works)