id:			160290
accession number:	1998.169
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1998.169
updated:		2023-03-28 11:00:26.806000

Poem on Imperial Gift of an Embroidered Silk: Calligraphy in Cursive Script Style (xingshu), c. 1525. Wen Zhengming (Chinese, 1470–1559). Hanging scroll, ink on paper; painting only: 343.5 x 93.5 cm (135 1/4 x 36 13/16 in.); overall with knobs: 698.5 x 124.4 cm (275 x 49 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1998.169

title:				Poem on Imperial Gift of an Embroidered Silk: Calligraphy in Cursive Script Style (xingshu)
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			c. 1525
creation date earliest:		1520
creation date latest:		1530
current location:		
creditline:			John L. Severance Fund
copyright:			

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culture:	China, Suzhou, Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
technique:	hanging scroll, ink on paper
department:	Chinese Art
collection:	ASIAN - Hanging scroll
type:		Calligraphy
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

* Wen Zhengming (Chinese, 1470–1559)  - artist

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measurements: Painting only: 343.5 x 93.5 cm (135 1/4 x 36 13/16 in.); Overall with knobs: 698.5 x 124.4 cm (275 x 49 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

	inscription:	The text of the calligraphy, which is also included in Wen Zhengming's literary compilation, can be translated as follows:

	From the throne, this exquisite silk was bestowed on me,/
	As I expressed my gratitude to His Majesty by the Goldwater Bridge./
	This heavenly silk is embroidered with five colors./
	Resplendent it is, draping over my arm with [designs of] twin dragons./
	Having received such a gift, I [bowed] in shame over my lack of achievements./
	Humbly I returned to my rank to observe the grand ceremony./
	I wish His Majesty shall live on for myriad years,/
	And the sun will always shine upon His trailing robe.
	translation:	
	remark:		

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		Power and Possession: Chinese Calligraphy and Inscribed Objects – Chinese Gallery Rotation 240a, 241c
	opening date:   2018-08-13T04:00:00
	<i>Power and Possession: Chinese Calligraphy and Inscribed Objects – Chinese Gallery Rotation 240a, 241c</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (August 13, 2018-February 3, 2019).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

* <em>Main Asian Rotation (Gallery 119)</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (July 13-November 17, 2004).

* <em>Main Asian Rotation (Gallery 242)</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (November 21, 2013-July 28, 2014).

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PROVENANCE

	(Kaikodo America Inc., New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
	date: ?–1998
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


	The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
	date: 1998–
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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fun fact:


digital description:


wall description:
A poem by the influential Wen Zhengming expresses Wen’s gratitude to the Jiajing emperor (reigned 1522–1567) for a gift of embroidered silk bestowed in appreciation of his commendable service. The elegant, well-composed, and energetically written large characters in deep black ink reflect the handwriting of a distinguished scholar-artist. <br><br>The poem reads:<br><br><em>As I expressed my gratitude to His Majesty by the Goldwater Bridge. <br>This heavenly silk is embroidered with five colors.<br>Resplendent it is, draping over my arm with [designs of] twin dragons.<br>Having received such a gift, I [bowed] in shame over my lack of achievements. <br>Humbly I returned to my rank to observe the grand ceremony.<br>I wish His Majesty shall live on for myriad years,<br>And the sun will always shine upon His trailing robe.</em>
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

	Cleveland Museum of Art, “New Cleveland Indian Arrives at the CMA,” November 27, 1998, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives.
	page number: 	
	url:		https://archive.org/details/cmapr4223

	Chou, Ju-hsi, "A Grand Gesture", Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine. Vol. 40 no. 02, February 2000
	page number: 	Mentioned & reproduced: p. 6-7
	url:		https://archive.org/details/CMAMM2000-02/page/6

	May, Sally Ruth, Jane Takac, and Barbara J. Bradley. <em>Knockouts: A Pocket Guide</em>. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2001.
	page number: 	Mentioned:  no. 82, p. 119; Reproduced:  no. 82, p. 77
	url:		

	Cleveland Museum of Art. <em>The CMA Companion: A Guide to the Cleveland Museum of Art</em>. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2014.
	page number: 	Mentioned and reproduced: P. 106
	url:		

	Cleveland Museum of Art. <em>Museum Masters: 2016-17 Companion Guide.</em> [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2016.
	page number: 	Mentioned and Reproduced: P. 34
	url:		

	Spee, Clarissa von. "From the Silk Road to the Imperial Court: Chinese Textiles in the Cleveland Museum of Art." <em>Arts of Asia</em> 48, no. 3 (May-June 2018): 50-56.
	page number: 	Reproduced: p. 53, fig. 5
	url:		

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1998.169/1998.169_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1998.169/1998.169_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1998.169/1998.169_full.tif