Calligraphy

Compilercompiled and edited by Hu Zhengyan 胡正言 (Chinese, ca. 1584 - 1674)

Calligrapher Liu Hengjia 劉亨甲 (Chinese, active late Ming dynasty)

Additional Title(s)

Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shizhuzhai shuhua pu) 十竹齋書畫譜; volume 3 (Man)

ClassificationsPRINTS

Date1633

DynastyMing dynasty

Mediumink and color on paper

Dimensionsbook: 9 3/4 x 11 1/4 in. (24.8 x 28.6 cm.)

DescriptionOne page from a woodblock printed book mounted as an album leaf

InscribedCalligraphy in running cursive script: 卷石含雲氣，模來象帝先。玲瓏通八極，渾璞剖重玄。點綴苔微緑，翩躚勢欲旋。炫奇君不屑，珍重葆天全。南嶽主人劉亨甲 . Hand-written inscription, lower left: Rock 8 (shi ba) 石八

MarkingsSeal (白文)

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Purchased with funds from June and Simon K.C Li, Fong Liu, Mei-Lee Ney, and Anne and Jim Rothenberg, in honor of Steven S. Koblik

Label TextTranslation of calligraphy:
The rolling rock contains the air of clouds;
It took its shape before the ancient lords.
Exquisitely wrought, it leads to all the Eight Poles;
As uncut jade, it may yet dissect the Double Darkness.
Decorated by greenish moss,
It looks as if ready to dance.
You think it beneath you to show off your wonder,
Taking care only to preserve your heavenly fullness.
Master of Nanyue Mountain, Liu Hengjia

The Ten Bamboo Studio Manual presents appealing compositions and calligraphy that guide the reader in aesthetic appreciation. The contents all relate to the garden, depicting and celebrating flora, birds, and garden rocks. The pages shown here are from the rock section of the manual. They highlight certain desirable rocks, in image and verse, that would have been collected by the educated elite of the time.

Status

Not on view

Object number2014.7.3.17