Rocks in Circular Fan Shape -- Illustration from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shizhuzhai shuhua pu) before 1703

Editor: This is "Rocks in Circular Fan Shape," from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual, created by Hu Zhengyan. The ink and color on paper give it a delicate, almost ethereal quality. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: The artist’s deployment of line and form is particularly compelling. Notice how the circular frame focuses our attention on the layered rocks, creating a sense of depth through subtle tonal variations. The linear arrangement suggests a careful consideration of balance and asymmetry, principles central to literati painting. Editor: So, the rocks themselves aren't just rocks? Curator: Indeed. Rocks, in this context, can symbolize permanence and resilience, qualities valued in Confucian thought. The artist may be inviting us to contemplate these virtues through the formal arrangement of elements. Editor: That gives me a new appreciation for the piece. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Paying attention to the intrinsic properties of the artwork allows for a richer understanding.