Poem on reclusion 1663

"Poem on Reclusion," a 1663 work by the Chinese artist Zhou Lianggong, is a calligraphic masterpiece featuring a poem written in elegant cursive script. This hanging scroll, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Lianggong’s mastery of brushstrokes, evoking a sense of tranquility and contemplation. The poem itself likely explores themes of solitude and the beauty of nature, a common subject for literati artists of the Qing dynasty. The work's dimensions (75 × 20 in.) amplify the verticality of the script, inviting the viewer to engage with the rhythmic flow of the characters. This calligraphy exemplifies the calligraphic art of the Qing dynasty, showcasing the importance of poetic expression and the artistic qualities of written language in Chinese art.