02-Officer Fang’s Barbarian Steed by Du Fu
- Transcript
- This work of clerical script is based on Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu's five-character regulated verse “Barbarian Steed, Pride of Ferghana,” a poem that uses the imagery of a magnificent horse to convey the poet's aspirations and ideals. Like a master, Du Fu vividly describes a prized horse from today’s Ferghana in Central Asia. The horse’s lean muscles are sharply defined like blades, its ears pointed and alert, and its hooves swift as wind. This majestic steed is invincible on the battlefield, inspiring complete confidence in its rider, who entrusts life to its prowess. The horse's form is portrayed with striking precision, its energy and spirit rendered with lifelike realism, capturing its grandeur with depth and vibrancy.
In this hanging scroll, Taiwan Professor Lin Chin-chung channels the imposing spirit of the poem, reflecting its majestic atmosphere. He skillfully merges various clerical scripts from excavated bamboo and silk writing in the Qin and Han dynasties. The composition conveys a sense of strength and grace, with each stroke and dot of ink brimming with vitality. The calligraphy's austere yet elegant style embodies a dynamic vigor, fusing sharpness with a commanding presence, resulting in a work that resonates with power and beauty.
LIN Chin-chung
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