Couplet in Seal Script

Maker(s)
Artist: Qian Shoutie (1896-1967)
Historical period(s)
Modern period, 1950s to 1960s
Medium
Pair of hanging scrolls; ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 198 x 31.7 cm (77 15/16 x 12 1/2 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
F1997.82.1-2
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Calligraphy
Type

Hanging scrolls (pair)

Keywords
China, couplet, horse, Modern period (1912 - present), Robert Hatfield Ellsworth collection, seal script
Provenance
Provenance information is currently unavailable
Label

Horse and rider amble through the shade of ancient willows,
Somewhere deep among the lovely flowers, birds are singing.

Translation by Stephen D. Allee

Qian Shoutie, also known by his given name, Ya, was a painter, calligrapher, and seal carver. Both before and after World War II, he was primarily active in the city of Shanghai, the cultural center of twentieth-century China. Qian's interest in various types of ancient Chinese script is evident in many of his seal carvings and works of calligraphy, such as this one, in which he has used a style of archaic seal script to render a simple poetic couplet.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Whistler's Neighborhood
Google Cultural Institute
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