Two Poems 1271 - 1368

This scroll presents two poems, brushed in ink on paper by an anonymous artist. Calligraphy in China developed as a high art form associated with the elite scholar-official class. Mastery required not only technical skill, but also deep learning in literature, history and philosophy. The very act of writing poetry and committing it to brush and ink served as a potent display of cultural capital and moral virtue. While seemingly private, calligraphy was often composed for particular social occasions and audiences, and intended for display in homes or gardens, or gifted to others. The bold, fluid strokes in this work, while appearing spontaneous, reflect years of disciplined practice within a specific social and artistic milieu. To better understand the circumstances that produced this artwork, we can consult collections of model calligraphy, biographical dictionaries of artists and poets, and historical accounts of literary and artistic circles. Through such research, art history illuminates the social life of images.