Calligraphy 1575 - 1644

This is a piece of calligraphy by Wen Congjian, created sometime between 1574 and 1648, now residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Wen was part of the literati class in China, and he was known for his paintings and calligraphy. The fan as a surface is interesting, traditionally a feminine object, now carrying the weight and authority of male scholarship through calligraphy. The writing’s subject matter and style are as important as its literal meaning. There is a layering of meaning, as it could signal the calligrapher’s personal values and aspirations. The characters are rendered in a way that embodies his unique expression, each stroke a testament to his identity and training. Think about how the emotional and the intellectual become intertwined here, allowing us to consider the histories embedded in each delicate stroke. How does Wen use conventional forms to express personal identity?