On the Seventeenth Day - Wang Xizhi

A museum-grade reproduction of the Shiqi Tie, a classic example of Eastern Jin dynasty calligraphy by the master Wang Xizhi.

This work is a reproduction of the Shiqi Tie, or On the Seventeenth Day, a collection of letters attributed to the Eastern Jin dynasty master Wang Xizhi. As the most celebrated figure in the history of Chinese calligraphy, Wang Xizhi established the standard for the running-cursive script style. This specific piece is a rubbing taken from a stone engraving, which preserves the fluid, rhythmic motion of the original brushwork. The characters demonstrate a balance between structural rigour and spontaneous expression, reflecting the artist's mastery over the brush.

The composition is defined by the contrast between the dark, ink-saturated ground and the lighter, carved characters. Red seals, added by collectors and emperors over the centuries, punctuate the dark fields, providing a visual record of the work's provenance and appreciation through successive dynasties. The text itself consists of personal correspondence, offering a glimpse into the social and intellectual life of the fourth-century elite. The lines exhibit a calligraphic quality that moves from thin, sharp strokes to broader, more weighted movements, capturing the energy of the initial writing process.

In the context of East Asian art, this piece functions as a model for students of calligraphy. The rhythmic variation within the characters and the spatial arrangement across the two panels illustrate the principles of harmony and flow. By presenting this as a museum-grade print, Solis Prints offers an opportunity to study the technical precision of one of the most influential calligraphers in history. The print captures the texture of the stone surface and the depth of the ink, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the original rubbing. It is a study in the discipline of the brush and the preservation of classical forms.