Ode on a Wanli-era Imperial Brush / Shitao (Shih-t'ao)
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1965/2.75
- Title
- Ode on a Wanli-era Imperial Brush
- Artist
- Shitao (Shih-t'ao)
- Artist Nationality
- Chinese
- Artist Life Dates
- 1642-1707
- Medium and Support
- ink on paper
- Object Creation Date
- 1705
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- China (nation)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- China (nation)
- Inscription
- Dated: Summer, 1705; Signed and seals at lower left. The porcelain-handled brush called "Easing the Heat", dates from the time of Wan-li. So often [I] have thought longingly of the hand that supported P'eng-lai. Although the realm has been transformed into merely a dream, [I still] cherish my homeland now in ashes. Moved profoundly, unable to speak, I hesitate over every word I write. Yi-you year [1705], early summer, in thanks to my old friend, the honorable Master Chueh-kung [who gave me] my ancestor Emperor Shen-tsung's own brush. Looking at this gift, holding it and treasuring it, I cannot bear to loosen it from my hand. [So I] write this in extreme gratitude. Ching-hsiang Ta-ti-tzu, Chi
- Dimensions
- 109.2 cm x 39 cm (43 in. x 15 3/8 in.)
- Century
- 18th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Painting
- Primary Object Type
- hanging scroll
- Secondary Object Classification
- Painting
- Secondary Object Type
- calligraphy
- Physical Description
- Calligraphy of a poem written in running script and including three artist's seals and the artist's signature.
- Subject Matter
- The poem is an expression of deep gratitude toward a Buddhist abbot who had presented him with a valuable old brush with a porcelain handle.
- The text of Shitao’s calligraphy may be loosely rendered as:
- This “Easing-heat” brush with a porcelain handle originated in the Wanli era (1573–1620).
- It experienced many profound affinities when wielded by the [imperial] forearm.
- [My] dream of nationhood has dissolved away, [yet I still] cherish the ashes of my hometown.
- Profoundly moved and beyond speech, [I] hesitate and ponder over every word [I inscribe].
- In the early summer of 1705, [I felt] grateful to the venerable Master Juegong, who bestowed upon me a brush belonging to my late ancestor Emperor Shenzong. Examining it over and over, I could not bear to let it leave my hands. So I executed this calligraphy [for the master] with utmost appreciation.
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- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 495 x 1395
- File Size
- 80 KB
- Record
- 1965/2.75
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1965-sl-2.75/1965_2.75.jpg
Rights and Permissions
Related Links
IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1965-SL-2.75:1965_2.75.JPG
Cite this Item
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- Full citation
-
"Ode on a Wanli-era Imperial Brush; Shitao (Shih-t'ao)." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1965-sl-2.75/1965_2.75.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 16, 2024.