Admonitions Scroll - Frontispiece - Qianlong
Reading right to left, these bold characters spell 'Fragrant Vermilion Brush' (Tong Guan Fang), a title penned by Emperor Qianlong himself for the front of the famous *Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies*. Originally attributed to the legendary 4th-century master Gu Kaizi, this scroll served as a moral guide for imperial women, illustrating proper behavior and virtue. The 'vermilion brush' was a tool used by female historians to record good deeds, so the Emperor was essentially giving this masterpiece a glowing review. The sea of red stamps surrounding the text are collector's seals—including the Emperor's own—showing just how obsessed he was with preserving this ancient treasure.
- Technique
- Calligraphy
- Material
- Ink on paper
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