Single-Line Calligraphy [center of a triptych of single-line calligraphies] 1690

This calligraphic scroll was made in China in the 17th century by Gaoquan Xingdun, using ink on paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice that this is not simply writing, but a performance. The artist has swept the brush across the absorbent surface to create bold and fluid characters, which expand and contract, pushing the ink to its limit. The density of the ink is critical. Too thin, and the strokes would be weak. Too thick, and the brush would drag. Consider also the paper itself. Its absorbency allows the ink to bloom, creating soft edges and a sense of depth. Calligraphy like this also relies on a whole ecosystem of production. Highly skilled papermakers, brushmakers, and ink producers all contribute to the finished work. Yet, in the end, it is the calligrapher's skill that brings all of these elements together. The work embodies a sophisticated understanding of materials and process, elevating craft to the level of high art.