Poem on Imperial Gift of an Embroidered Silk: Calligraphy in Cursive Script Style (xingshu)
Wen Zhengmingc. 1525
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
A poem by the influential Wen Zhengming expresses Wen’s gratitude to the Jiajing emperor (reigned 1522–1567) 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.
The poem reads:
<em>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.</em>
- Title: Poem on Imperial Gift of an Embroidered Silk: Calligraphy in Cursive Script Style (xingshu)
- Creator: Wen Zhengming (Chinese, 1470-1559)
- Date Created: c. 1525
- Physical Dimensions: Painting only: 343.5 x 93.5 cm (135 1/4 x 36 13/16 in.); Overall with knobs: 698.5 x 124.4 cm (275 x 49 in.)
- Provenance: (Kaikodo America Inc., New York, NY, ?-1998, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 1998-present
- Type: Calligraphy
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1998.169
- Medium: hanging scroll, ink on paper
- Inscriptions: The text of the calligraphy, which is also included in his literary compilation, can be translated as follows: From the throne, this exquisite silk was bestowed on me, 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.
- Department: Chinese Art
- Culture: China, Suzhou, Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
- Credit Line: John L. Severance Fund
- Collection: ASIAN - Hanging scroll
- Accession Number: 1998.169
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