Poem on Imperial Gift of an Embroidered Silk: Calligraphy in Running-Standard Script (xingkaishu) (c. 1525): Art, History and Details

Poem on Imperial Gift of an Embroidered Silk: Calligraphy in Running-Standard Script (xingkaishu) (c. 1525) is in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection. The museum's creator attribution is Wen Zhengming (Chinese, 1470–1559).

The work and its context

The museum's open-access catalogue describes the work:

A poem by the influential Wen Zhengming from Suzhou in southeastern China expresses Wen’s gratitude to the Jiajing emperor (reigned 1522–67) for a gift of embroidered silk bestowed in appreciation of his commendable service. The elegant, well-composed, and energetically written large characters in deep black ink reflect the handwriting of a distinguished scholar-artist. Works of calligraphy by Wen of this large scale are rare. The poem reads: As I expressed my gratitude to His Majesty by the Goldwater Bridge. This heavenly silk is embroidered with five colors. Resplendent it is, draping over my arm with [designs of] twin dragons. Having received such a gift, I [bowed] in shame over my lack of achievements. Humbly I returned to my rank to observe the grand ceremony. I wish His Majesty shall live on for myriad years, And the sun will always shine upon His trailing robe.

Object facts

• Title: Poem on Imperial Gift of an Embroidered Silk: Calligraphy in Running-Standard Script (xingkaishu)
• Date: c. 1525
• Creator attribution: Wen Zhengming (Chinese, 1470–1559)
• Culture: China, Suzhou, Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
• Type: Calligraphy
• Technique: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
• Dimensions: calligraphy: 343.5 x 93.3 cm (135 1/4 x 36 3/4 in.); Overall with knobs: 446 x 125 cm (175 9/16 x 49 3/16 in.)
• Collection: ASIAN - Hanging scroll
• Department: Chinese Art
• Accession number: 1998.169

Collection credit

John L. Severance Fund

Further reading listed by the museum

• Cleveland Museum of Art, “New Cleveland Indian Arrives at the CMA,” November 27, 1998, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives.
• Chou, Ju-hsi, "A Grand Gesture", Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine. Vol. 40 no. 02, February 2000.
• May, Sally Ruth, Jane Takac, and Barbara J. Bradley. Knockouts: A Pocket Guide. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2001.

View the collection record

See the museum's photographs and full catalogue entry. Catalogue text is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art's open-access data, with HTML formatting removed. This object and its supplied image are designated CC0.