Five Poems (Calligraphy on Fan) - Wang Shihong

A fine reproduction of a traditional Chinese fan calligraphy piece by the Qing Dynasty scholar Wang Shihong, featuring elegant ink characters.

This work presents a fine example of traditional Chinese calligraphy executed on a folding fan format. Wang Shihong, a scholar-official active during the early Qing Dynasty, demonstrates a disciplined approach to the brush. The characters are arranged in vertical columns, following the natural curvature of the fan ribs. The ink application varies in density, showing the control required to maintain balance across the semi-circular surface.

Calligraphy on fans was a common practice among the literati class in China. These objects functioned as both personal accessories and vehicles for poetic expression. The text here consists of five distinct poems, each reflecting the aesthetic values of the period. The brushwork is precise, exhibiting the standard script style favoured by educated elites for its clarity and structural integrity. The composition is dictated by the physical constraints of the fan, requiring the artist to adjust the size and spacing of the characters to ensure visual harmony.

Several red seals are visible at the lower edges, which serve as marks of ownership or authentication. These seals provide a visual counterpoint to the black ink, adding a touch of colour to the monochromatic field. The paper itself retains a neutral tone, typical of aged rice paper used for such functional art pieces. This print captures the texture of the original surface, allowing the viewer to appreciate the interplay between the ink and the fibrous quality of the paper. It is a piece that rewards close observation, as the rhythmic flow of the characters reveals the steady hand of the calligrapher. The work remains a clear representation of the scholarly tradition where literature and visual art are inseparable.