Jingxi Calling Forth the Recluse - Colophon 1
This sweeping horizontal scroll features the dynamic cursive calligraphy of Dong Qichang, a towering figure of the late Ming Dynasty who essentially wrote the rulebook for Chinese painting theory. The black ink flows with incredible rhythm, shifting from thick, heavy strokes to thin, rapid lines that capture the speed of his hand—this is 'running-cursive' script at its finest. The text is a 'Ti Ba' (inscription), likely a poetic reflection added to a painting scroll, embodying the literati tradition that treats writing and painting as equal arts. Despite being a controversial landlord in his time, Dong's elegant style became the ultimate model for scholars, and the red seals here show it's been passed down and cherished by collectors for centuries.
- Technique
- Ink calligraphy
- Material
- Paper