Lot 1113
  • 1113

ATTRIBUTED TO DONG QICHANG | POEMS IN RUNNING SCRIPT

Estimate
20,000 - 40,000 USD
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Description

  • POEMS IN RUNNING SCRIPT
  • ink on satin, handscroll
  • 25 by 253.3 cm. 9 7/8  by 99 7/8  in. 
signed Dong Qichang, with two seals, zong bo xue shi, dong shi xuan zai Colophons by Yao Nai (1731-1815), signed Yao Nai, with one seal, ji chuan; Duan Qingchuan (1812-1893), signed Chunhu Duan Qingchuan, dated jimao (1879), the tenth lunar month, with one seal, duan qing chuan yin; Chen Xizu (1767-1820), signed Xizu, with a dedication and one seal, yu fang With three collectors' seal of the Chew family, qiu yong he jian shang zhang, wu zhong ying yin, qiu fu lun cang huawith two collectors' seals of Zhang Xiaobin (1882-1968), jing han xie cang, gu shi zhang shi jing han xie yin; and two collectors' seals of Bi Haiti (Qing dynasty), hai ti shen ding zhen ji, gu xiang lou cang bao

Condition

- Satin bears tanned tone due to age. - Humidity and mold stains can be found.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Artist's inscription:
Government duties I now regard as insignificant like grass; policies are still the work of officials. We divine our destinies from the True Breath and the stars, seeking answers in the zone of the Dipper in the Celestial River. A bright moon hangs over a hill studded with osmanthus trees; it was in early autumn that the paulownia leaf was cut. Having lodged my desire to depart in the southward-flying geese, I inquire about living in the Luofu Mountains. "To Li Boxiang upon his departure on official duty to Qinfan"
To govern a prefecture at age forty is an accomplishment, especially at a strategic position between east and south. Even bosom friends now regard you with tiger-like eyes; spreading your wings like an eagle, you have become a powerful young minister. Even since the Xia emperors ascended to power, they harbored the city of Wu within their realm. From the vase-like mountain the sight is of endless miraculous clouds; the flags are from a Daoist immortals' abode.
Miraculous clouds between Bohai and Mount Tai all stir within the heart; traces of the glories of Yu's reign remain in this territory named by the First Emperor. When home lies within the prefaces of the history books, there is no need to ascend a terrace to view the Nine Peaks. Yao Nai's colophon:
This is an thoroughly unpremeditated work by Dong Siweng. The third poem is also an eight-line regulated verse, but having written two lines [he] realized that the silk was too short, and so skipped the middle couplets and ended the poem abruptly. Nonetheless, his calligraphy is very conscientious, reaching the level of Lugong [Yan Zhenqing] in the excellent passages.

Duan Qingchuan's colophon:
Dong's calligraphy is preternaturally elegant and nourished, equaled by few in its understated vitality. Therefore those works [attributed to him] that are beautiful but shallow are all forgeries. This work of calligraphy was created without premeditation. At first glance it is unsatisfactory, but those who truly know calligraphy will recognize its validity immediately.

Chen Xizu's colophon:
This work of calligraphy by Siweng is rigorous in method and unconstrained in expression, infinitely varied in its thoroughly unplanned execution. It is my humble opinion that people who are after Dong's style should start with works like this. Xiangguang himself once said, " brushwork should be straight and not freely twisted." This is the key to deciding between true and fake, and the reason why his calligraphy is difficult to copy. Posi obtained a fine copy of Lugong's work and studied it as a first lesson, and then dedicated himself to copying Xiangguang's authentic works. Only then did he find his entry.