Farewell Poems c. 18th century

Curator: Before us is “Farewell Poems,” dating from around the 18th century, attributed to Gion Nankai. The medium is ink on paper, presented in a fan format. Editor: The ink strokes have a beautiful, melancholic rhythm. Even without understanding the calligraphy, you can sense a deep emotional current through the varying line weights and their elegant composition against the delicate paper of the fan. Curator: Precisely. The fan itself would have been a poignant object, commonly exchanged at partings. Bearing “farewell poems” amplifies the work’s layers of significance, placing it within networks of literati culture. One has to ask how the socio-political realities of the era--perhaps a climate of exile or imposed isolation—might impact Nankai’s imagery, and affect the poem's meaning as an expression of the artist's emotional and political state. Editor: Absolutely. And let’s not overlook the implicit codes regarding social status here. The mastery of calligraphy evident in this piece would situate Nankai and the intended recipient within an educated elite, bound by a shared knowledge and a particular, shared aesthetic understanding. This makes it very insular and specific. I'd say there is probably a deeper discourse between the poet-artist and society as a whole in this historical artwork. Curator: It reflects a complex negotiation: on one hand, displaying elite education and taste while, on the other, critiquing—perhaps ever-so-gently—aspects of that very social structure, perhaps as he expresses lament or resignation via art and poetic word. I see it almost like coded artivist expressions of melancholy. Editor: Agreed. The fan transcends mere decorative object here. It becomes a portable canvas of protest or commentary on the emotional toll of the times. I find it such a valuable historical capsule to study for an artistic critique of societal challenges. Curator: Considering Nankai's history, his experiences during social upheaval and the restrictions imposed on him… Well, this work, while understated, resonates powerfully. Editor: This work has made me want to reflect more about artistic mediums conveying profound feelings and critiques—about the emotional potency of small forms when held in historical and socio-political context. Thank you for pointing that out to me, curator!