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Wu Zhongqi's set of four scrolls depicts the characters for the "four noble plants"—a common topos in Chinese painting. Rather than depict the plants themselves, he has written the characters for them with an appropriate poem below each character. The large characters have an angular, brusque style that displays a nice contrast between the velvety, wet ink and the "flying white" produced by the brush as it dries out. Back |
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Creator.Personal Name: 武中奇 Creator.Personal Name: Wu Zhongqi. Creator.Role: calligrapher. Title: [The Four Gentlemen] Description: set of four hanging scrolls; ink on paper (semicursive script); inscribed and signed by the artist; three artist's seals on each scroll. Date.Created: 2003 Type: Calligraphy--Chinese--2003. Type: Scroll (Visual work)--Chinese. Style.Period: Contemporary. Culture: Chinese. Material.Medium: ink. Material.Support: paper. Measurements: 13 x 52 in. (ea. scroll) Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.) Rights: C. J. Campbell. Record Type: work. Translation: The "four gentlemen" refers to the four noble plants and flowers that embody the ideals of the literati spirit: 菊 (chrysanthemum), 竹 (bamboo), 蘭 (orchid), and 梅 (plum blossom). The chrysanthemum is a symbol of the scholar and recluse, who is generally depicted as a noble and dignified person living an unworldly way of life devoted to music, poetry, calligraphy and painting. The bamboo also symbolizes the scholar-gentleman because of its properties: flexible yet sturdy and evergreen. It is also a symbol of longevity and courage in adversity because it does not break even in a strong wind. And since its leaves cast a welcome shade, it also symbolizes benevolence. The orchid, whose natural habitat is secluded woodlands, remote valleys and hidden rock crevices, symbolizes the Confucian and/or Taoist scholar living in rural seclusion. It is also symbolizes virtue and purity. The plum tree blossoms in winter and heralds the return of spring, life and hope after the end of the cycle of birth, growth and decay. It therefore symbolizes strength, fortitude and venerable old age and is associated with poetry and learning. |
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