Author:

Size:Length:179 x Width:35 (cm)

Size description：179×35

Introduction：Chen Wei-te (1945–) was born in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. His courtesy name is Si-chi, and his studio name is Hsi-mei Studio ("Washing Plum” Studio). He holds a doctorate in literature from National Chengchi University, and is accomplished in both classical Chinese writing and calligraphy. He has served as a professor, department head, director of the Graduate Institute of Chinese Classical Studies, dean of the College of Literature, and registrar at Taipei Municipal University of Education (now University of Taipei) and privately-run Mingdao University. He has served as advisor to the Chinese Calligraphy Association and Chinese Academy of Painting, and as chairman of the Chinese Calligraphy Society and Chinese Standard Cursive Script Society. His calligraphy has been recognized with the Wu San-lien Award, Chung Shan Literary and Arts Award, and National Arts Award. He has been invited to hold solo exhibitions at the National Museum of History, National DR. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and is recognized as a leading contemporary calligrapher in Taiwan.

This work is written in clerical script and is a self-composed nine-character couplet for the Year of the Snake, reading: "The phoenix calendar marks the new year—heaven's design, clear and harmonious; the serpent's pearl fills the hand—a harbinger of the nation's flourishing prosperity." The artist's deep engagement with classical literature and skill with literary allusion are evident: the "phoenix calendar" in the upper panel and the "serpent's pearl" in the lower each carry their own significance. The content conveys a blessing for the new year—that the calendar year begins correctly, and the times are harmonious and auspicious—along with the aspiration that each person puts their individual talents to good use for the prosperity of the nation. The parallelism of the two panels is precise and the diction refined; the artist's careful attention to the content of the couplet is plain to see.

Chen Wei-te's clerical script is grounded in Han clerical, drawing on the three great Confucius Temple steles; the character structures are rigorous, and the forms upright and correct. He also draws on the brushwork of the cliff inscription "Stone Gate Ode," an approach that appears indebted to the approach of the modern master Tai Ching-nung, subtly softening Tai's trembling brushwork and striking forms, refining them into a personal voice that displays the flavor of plain and unaffected simplicity. This work is written on ruled Xuan paper, with attention to neatness and visual appeal; the colophon script is also guided by elegance throughout. The overall brushwork is unhurried and at ease, and the ink tonality balances wet and dry, dense and light, presenting a clear and open atmosphere that coheres well with the self-composed content.

Colophon: An auspicious beginning to the spring of the Guisi year; composed and written with reverence by Chen Wei-te.
Seals: Crane Longevity; Seal of Chen Wei-te; Master of Hsi-mei Studio.

Accession Number:PT10300301

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