WEN TIANXIANG (1236-1282)

Details

WEN TIANXIANG (1236-1282)

Cursive Script Calligraphy (cao shu)

Handscroll, ink on paper, 14 3/8 x 25½in. (36.5 x 64.5cm.)

The text is an official letter

Signed: Wen Tianxiang

Five colophons, one each of Peng Xu, dated the third month of jiyou year of the Xuande era (1429) and with four seals, Cheng Fan, dated the eighth year of the Zhengtong era (1443) and with six seals, Li Zhixi, dated yiyou year of the Zhizheng era (1345) and with four seals, Gao Yong (1850-1921) and Duan Fang (1861-1911)

One collector's seals

Frontispiece by Wu Changshuo (1844-1927), dated the ninth month, autumn of jiawei year (1919) and with three seals

Lot Essay

Wen Tianxiang was born in Jishui, Jiangxi province and received the jinshi degree at the age of twenty. He was a talented and devoted government official, serving during the Chengqun era as Minister of the Right and a member of the Privy Council. He was also an accomplished calligrapher.