A copy from the “Tranquility” of Wang Xianzhi in Cursive Script (handscroll)

Wang Duo was born in Mengjin, Henan province. His courtesy names were Juesi and Juezhi, and his literary names included Songqiao, Shiqiao, Chian, and Xueshan. He sometimes also signed his works with the name Yantanyusou. He was the President of Ministry of Rites (libushangshu) and Grand Academician (daxueshi) of the East Cabinet (dongge) under Emperor Hongguang’s reign in the Southern Ming Dynasty. He later surrendered to the Qing, and the highest position he held was the President of Ministry of Rites. As a calligrapher, he specialized in running and cursive script, and was greatly inspired by Yan Zhenqing and Mi Fu. His works are full of power and strength, featuring an artistic arrangement of empty spaces (bubai). He was also good at painting mountains, water, orchids, and bamboos.