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元代筆記 vol.1 楊維禎的當代性:252萬港元蘇富比楊維楨致道林札成交 - Yang Weizhen, Letter from the Canton Collection.


SACA Podcast - 楊維禎 Yang Weizhen

楊維禎(1299-1370),是元朝末期的著名文學家,而且作為書法家聞名。維禎的書法發揮了元代盛行的「章草」的特點。顯露出奔放奇逸之氣,堪與「禪林墨蹟」匹敵。自如運用滿墨的毛筆,即使細如絲紗的渴筆也像鋼鐵一般那麼堅實。


估价

500,000 - 1,000,000 HKD


竞争激烈,暗暗较劲。3个电话,还有online到了200万还在暗暗较劲,210万电话。


成交:252万港元,号牌118


上海博物館藏 楊維禎條幅


Yang Wei-chen : Poem in Cursive Script


Yang Wei-chen (1299-1370), the renowned literati from late Yuan times, is also well known as a master of calligraphy. His uninhibited and unorthodox calligraphy style is comparable with works of calligraphy written by Ch'an Buddhist monks. He freely manipulates the brush fully emersed in ink, and even his airy dry brush strokes are distinctive. The work is Yang's only extant example in hanging scroll form. (Collection of the Shanghai Museum)


楊維楨 致道林札 | Yang Weizhen, Letter


Live auction begins on:

October 16, 11:00 AM JST


Estimate

500,000 - 1,000,000 HKD


Description

Yang Weizhen 1296-1370

Letter

ink on paper, two album leaves


signed and with 1 seal of the artist

with 1 collector's seal of Pan Peishang (19th century), 1 collector's seal of Pan Yanling (late Qing Dynasty) and 1 collector's seal of Luo Tianchi (1805-1866)


26.5 x 25.7 cm. 10 ½ x 10 in. (2)



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楊維楨 1296-1370

致道林札

水墨紙本 兩開


釋文:以通慧言大悲手眼,特儋秃公注脚耶。未見有說,各詣其極。寫字傳神之妙,言刻工則可勘破,具千手眼者,未可也。必吾老贊寧史斷破之,謹謹,伺伺。吾文尚閟當為何師一出,承賜懺筵 [食夾]子謂要具眼,不可被舌頭瞞過,不知老鐵舌頭自有清淨寶,如母陀羅,現出星星,覷破天厨底藏,一笑,一笑。三月盡日,老鐵楨在簡懶所拏惡聿書,上道林文字禪。鈐印:「楊廉夫」

藏印:〈潘延齡〉「曾藏潘健盦處」

〈潘佩裳〉「佩裳寶藏」

〈羅天池〉「羅天池書畫印」


26.5 x 25.7 cm. 10½ x 10 in. (2)



楊維楨,字廉夫,號鐵崖、鐵笛道人,又號鐵心道人、鐵冠道人、鐵龍道人、梅花道人等,晚年自號老鐵、抱遺老人、東維子。浙江諸暨楓橋人。元末明初詩人、文學家、書法家。 泰定四年進士,放天臺縣尹,因懲治作惡縣吏,遭奸吏報復免官。後任職錢清鹽場,因請求減輕鹽稅被斥為忤上。元末避亂居富春山,後徙松江,從此遨遊山水,以聲色自娛,東南才俊之士登門求教不絕。


古樂府詩,婉麗動人,雄邁自然,史稱「鐵崖體」,為歷代文人所推崇。有稱其為「一代詩宗」,曾著有、《鐵崖古樂府》《麗則遺音》《復古詩集》等近二十種。

書法以行草最工,筆勢岩開,有「大將班師,三軍奏凱,破斧缺牖,例載而歸」之勢,墨蹟多見於書札及書畫題跋中。



FAQ: Yang Weizhen's Letter

1. Who was Yang Weizhen?

Yang Weizhen (1296-1370), style name Lianfu, sobriquet Tieya (Iron Cliff), was a prominent Chinese poet, calligrapher, and scholar-official during the late Yuan dynasty. He was known for his archaic-style fu rhapsodies and yuefu-style poetry, and was considered a leader of the southeastern literati circles.


2. What is the significance of this letter?

This letter, written entirely in ink on two album leaves, provides a glimpse into Yang Weizhen's personal correspondence and his distinctive calligraphic style. It exemplifies the informal, flowing draft-cursive script that characterized his work.


3. What is draft-cursive script?

Draft-cursive script, also known as zhangcao, is a type of Chinese calligraphy that developed during the Han dynasty. It is characterized by abbreviated and connected characters, written with swift, fluid brushstrokes. Yang Weizhen's interpretation of this script was known for its unconventional, free-flowing style and bold, expressive strokes.


4. Does the letter offer insights into Yang Weizhen's personality?

While the content of the letter is not provided, his calligraphic style is often seen as a reflection of his personality. The bold, unrestrained energy of his brushstrokes suggests a confident, independent, and even somewhat rebellious spirit, which aligns with his known persona as an unconventional scholar who enjoyed defying social norms.


5. Who were the collectors of this letter?

The letter bears collector's seals of notable figures like Pan Peishang (19th century), Pan Yanling (late Qing dynasty), and Luo Tianchi (1805-1866). Their ownership highlights the value placed on Yang Weizhen's calligraphy and its historical significance.


6. How does this letter contribute to our understanding of late Yuan literati culture?

Personal letters were an integral part of literati culture during the Yuan dynasty, serving as a primary mode of communication and social interaction. This letter, though its content remains unknown, exemplifies the importance of calligraphy as a means of self-expression and personal connection within this elite circle.


7. What is the artistic value of Yang Weizhen's calligraphy?

Yang Weizhen's calligraphy was admired for its unique style, characterized by a rejection of rigid conventions and a pursuit of naturalness and expressiveness. His bold brushstrokes and unconventional interpretations of traditional scripts made his work stand out, influencing later calligraphers.



Timeline of Events


1296: Yang Weizhen is born.

1313: The Yuan Dynasty reinstates the prefectural civil service examination.

1315: The Yuan Dynasty reinstates the national civil service examination.

1320: At 25, Yang Weizhen is recommended for the examination but his father confines him to study for five years.

1327: Yang Weizhen earns the Jinshi degree and becomes District Magistrate of Tiantai, Zhejiang.

1331: Yang Weizhen leaves his post and returns home due to illness.

1334: Yang Weizhen is appointed Saltern Office Director of Qianqing, Zhejiang.

1339: Yang Weizhen's parents pass away; he returns home for the mourning period.

1343: Emperor Shundi decrees the compilation of the official histories of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties. Yang Weizhen participates but is disappointed by the project's direction.

1340s: Yang Weizhen becomes a prominent figure in southern literati circles, particularly in the "Elegant Gatherings at the Jade Mountain" poetry society.

1348: Yang Weizhen edits Xihu zhuzhi ci, a collection of Yuefu-style poetry sponsored by Gu Ying.

1349: Yushan caotang yaji, a collection of poems from the Jade Mountain gatherings, is published with a preface by Yang Weizhen.

1350: Yang Weizhen serves as chief judge for two "literary conventions," solidifying his status as a leading scholar.

1350s: Yang Weizhen continues to write and participate in literati gatherings while holding various minor government posts. He also develops a reputation for eccentricity and unconventional behavior.

1353: Zhang Shicheng leads a rebellion and declares himself king in Southern China.

1356: Zhang Shicheng occupies Suzhou.

1357: Zhang Shicheng accepts a conditional surrender from the Yuan court, becoming Grand Marshal. Yang Weizhen corresponds with Zhang and encourages his students to serve in his government.

1359: Yang Weizhen moves to Songjiang and continues to engage with the literati while living a retired life.

1360: Yang Weizhen writes Essay on Leisure Enough to Spare for Mr. Du.

1368: The Yuan Dynasty falls.

1370: Yang Weizhen dies.



Cast of Characters


Yang Weizhen (1296-1370): The central figure of the dissertation. A renowned poet, calligrapher, and scholar-official during the late Yuan dynasty. He navigated a complex political landscape while establishing himself as a leader of Southern literati circles. Yang is known for his unconventional artistic style and his prolific social writings, particularly painting inscriptions.


Gu Ying (1310-1369): A wealthy patron of the arts who hosted the "Elegant Gatherings at the Jade Mountain" at his estate in Kunshan. He played a crucial role in fostering the Tieya school of poetry, of which Yang Weizhen was a leading figure.


Mr. Du: A wealthy landowner from Songjiang who commissioned Leisure Enough to Spare. He sought to associate himself with the literati by adopting the persona of a scholar-farmer in the tradition of Tao Qian.


Zhang Shicheng (1321-1367): A rebel leader who rose to prominence in the mid-14th century, eventually occupying Suzhou and establishing his own regime. While initially condemning Zhang, Yang Weizhen later corresponded with him and encouraged some level of cooperation with his government.


Yao Tingmei (fl. mid-14th century): A painter commissioned by Mr. Du to create the landscape painting for Leisure Enough to Spare. Yao skillfully incorporated motifs from the accompanying poems, demonstrating his understanding of the visual and literary conventions of reclusion.


Yang Qian (fl. mid-14th century): A scholar-recluse and art patron from Songjiang who commissioned the painting Thatched Hall of Zhuxi. The artwork, along with its numerous inscriptions by prominent figures, served as a testament to Yang Qian's social standing and his connections within the literati elite.


Zhang Wo (fl. mid-14th century): The painter of Thatched Hall of Zhuxi. He included subtle personalized elements in his landscape composition, referencing Yang Qian's style name, "Zhuxi" (Bamboo-west), with a grove of bamboo.


Hu Yan (1361-1443): A prominent Ming dynasty official and art collector who owned Bird and Peach Blossoms. He had access to major art collections while serving at the capital and actively sought additional inscriptions for the scroll, demonstrating the ongoing importance of social networks within the art world.


Other Figures: The excerpts mention a multitude of other individuals connected to Yang Weizhen and the art world of the Yuan Dynasty. These include fellow poets, calligraphers, patrons, and collectors who contributed to the creation and circulation of the analyzed artworks. Detailed information about many of these individuals is limited.

This information provides a glimpse into the complex web of relationships and artistic practices that characterized the late Yuan period. By understanding the social dynamics and motivations behind the creation and inscription of artworks, we gain a deeper appreciation for their significance within their historical context.




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