Rock -- Illustration from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shizhuzhai shuhua pu) before 1703

Curator: Here we have "Rock," an illustration extracted from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting. Hu Zhengyan, who lived from 1584 to 1634, is credited as the artist behind it. Editor: The muted tones give it a quiet, contemplative mood. The negative space within the rock itself is as important as its solid form. Curator: Indeed. In Chinese garden design, porous rocks like this one are prized for their ability to embody cosmic energy and evoke mountain landscapes in miniature. Editor: So, the rock isn't just a rock. It becomes a symbol of nature’s power and the scholar's refined taste. The textures, created by layering ink washes, also draw my eye. Curator: The rock symbolizes permanence, a refuge from the world's chaos, while the grass shoots at its base signal resilience and renewal. These symbols resonate across generations. Editor: It’s a masterful exercise in balancing form and symbolism. Curator: Precisely. This piece invites us to consider the enduring power of natural forms and their resonance within cultural memory. Editor: A tiny fragment, yet it reflects eternity.