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

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this illustration from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting, titled “Plum Blossoms and Rock,” created by Hu Zhengyan, who lived from 1584 to 1634. Editor: It's a rather lovely composition! The stark contrast between the angular rock and delicate blossoms creates a very intriguing tension. Curator: Indeed. The Ten Bamboo Studio Manual played a pivotal role in disseminating artistic styles and techniques, profoundly influencing the artistic landscape of its time. Editor: Observe how the artist uses negative space to define form; the branches and rock almost seem to emerge from the paper itself. Curator: The woodblock printing popularized in manuals like this one democratized access to art and artistic knowledge. Editor: Ultimately, the arrangement of line, shape and texture in this print provides a pathway into the rich visual culture of the late Ming dynasty. Curator: Seeing it within the context of artistic knowledge sharing, we gain a richer appreciation for its historical role. Editor: Absolutely, and considering the visual interplay, we see just how meticulously crafted each element of this work is.