Excerpt from the "Preface to the Sacred Teachings" in running-standard script 行楷節臨褚遂良書《聖教序》 (冊頁)

Object Details

• Artist

  Bada Shanren 八大山人 (朱耷) (1626-1705)

• Label

  This text is an excerpt from the Sanzang shengjiao xu (Preface to the sacred teachings [translated] by Tripitaka), composed in 648 by Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty (reigned 626-49) for the Buddhist monk and translator Xuanzang (602-664), also known as Tripitaka.

  Under Taizong's successor, a stone monument was erected bearing his preface written in standard script by the eminent court calligrapher Chu Suiliang (596-658). Chu's transcription of the preface became part of the mainstream calligraphic tradition and was frequently emulated over the centuries as an orthodox model of standard script. Although Bada asserts in his postscript that he was "copying" the style of Chu Suiliang, his use of running-standard script, instead of the traditional form of standard script established by Chu, adds a measure of idiosyncracy to his rendition. Bada wrote out this Buddhist text on several occasions, each time employing his own style of calligraphy.

• Provenance

  To 1997

  Wang Fangyu (1913-1997), to 1997 [1]

  To 1998

  Shao F. Wang, New York and Short Hills, NJ, by descent, to 1998

  From 1998

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Shao F. Wang in 1998

  Notes:

  [1] According to Curatorial Note 3, Joseph Chang and Stephen D. Allee, May 7, 1998, and Joseph Chang and Stephen D. Allee, August 18, 1998, in the object record.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  In Pursuit of Heavenly Harmony: Paintings and Calligraphy by Bada Shanren (1626-1705) from the Bequest of Wang Fangyu and Sum Wai (April 26 to October 13, 2003)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Wang Fangyu (1913-1997)

  Shao F. Wang

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — funds provided by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation 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

  1690s

• Name

  Wang, Fangyu, Wang, Shao F.

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Shao F. Wang collection, Standard script

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Calligraphy (visual works)