Couplet in standard script

Object Details

• Artist

  Hua Shikui (1864-1942)

• Label

  Well known for following the style of the great Tang dynasty calligraphy master Yan Zhenqing (709-785), Hua Shikui's standard script is monumental and imposing. The artist wrote this couplet at the age of seventy-seven to present to his close friend Xiting. The text ponders their shared professional and leisure interests and their fascination with ancient inscriptions, including those on musical instruments of the Bronze Age (circa 2000-500 B.C.E.).

  From green spring to hoary autumn, we enjoyed our words and laughter;

  Ritual bronzes and stone chimes, we vied to compile and copy.

  Adapted from translation by Stephen D. Allee

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Virtue and Entertainment: Chinese Music in the Visual Arts (October 1, 2005 to May 29, 2006)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Freer Gallery of Art

• Type

  Calligraphy

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1940s

• Name

  Hua, Shikui

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Autumn, Couplet, Chinese Art, Robert Hatfield Ellsworth collection, Spring, Modern period (1912 - present), Standard script

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Calligraphy (visual works)