Title slip 山水册页 封面 Possibly 1644 - 1911

This is a title slip made in China by Xugu, some time in the 19th century. It’s made with ink on paper – humble materials, really. But the skill is in the handling. The paper has a warm, aged tone, providing a textured ground for the calligraphic inscription. Notice how the ink varies in density, creating a visual rhythm down the surface. The characters are rendered with a confident hand, each stroke considered, and imbued with the artist’s personality. Calligraphy, like any craft, is deeply connected to its tools: the brush, the inkstone, the paper itself. These are not just instruments, but partners in the creative process. They demand mastery, patience, and respect for the materials at hand. This slip would have been attached to a collection of paintings, guiding the viewer into the artist's world of landscapes. Even a seemingly minor object like this can offer insight into the values and skills that underpin artistic creation. It reminds us to look closely, appreciate the process, and challenge the boundaries of what we consider to be "art."