Yan Shan Ming

Mi Fei (1051-1107), counted as one of the Four Great Calligraphers of the Sung dynasty, always pursued ancient styles of calligraphy and assimilated the spirit of calligraphers of the Chin dynasty. This work, produced when he was thirty-eight, is a representative piece from the prime of his life. Eight poems composed by himself are written on silk into which the ruled lines are woven in dark threads, and Mi Fei's true characteristic is displayed in his exquisite brush work. The last section of the scroll bears inscriptions, vying with one another in elegance, by Ming dynasty masters such as Shen Chou, Chu Yun-ming, Ku Ts'ung-i and Tung Ch'i-ch'ang.

Mi Fu, a native of Hupeh Province, was a famous poet, painter, calligrapher, and collector in the Northern Sung period. Along with Ts'ai Hsiang, Su Shih, and Huang T'ing-chien, he was known as one of the Four Sung Masters of calligraphy.

This handscroll of prized Szechwan silk was made in 1044 under the reign of Emperor Jen-tsung. Mi Fu used it to calligraph characters that were strongly influenced by those of Wang Hsien-chih and that have an untrammeled and expansive feeling. Among the works of the Four Masters, the brushwork and speed in Mi's characters are the most lively and varied. Although done here within fine lines of black ink, Mi's running script flies with spirit and energy that is unrestrained by these "guidelines".