Author:Tan Yen-Kai.Hu Han-Min

Size:Length:180 x Width:84 (cm)

Size description：131×63 (畫心)

Introduction：Hu Han-Min (1879-1936), originally named Yan-Hong, was also known by the courtesy name Zhantang and the pseudonym Bukui Shizhu. He hailed from Panyu, Guangdong, and was an important political figure in the Kuomintang (KMT). In 1902, Hu went to Japan to study at Hongwen Academy, where Wang Ching-Wei was his classmate. In 1904, he enrolled in the fast-track law program at Hosei University in Japan. In 1905, he joined the Tongmenghui and became an editor for the "Minbao" newspaper, engaging in numerous written debates with Liang Chi-Chao in "Minbao" and "Xinmin Congbao" over the direction of Chinese politics. In 1907, he went to Hanoi to incite uprisings in Guangxi and Guangdong. In 1909, he served as the head of the southern branch of the Tongmenghui in Hong Kong and planned the Guangzhou New Army Uprising. After the Wuchang Uprising, he was appointed Governor of Guangdong and served as the Secretary-General of the Nanjing Provisional Government. Following the Second Revolution, he briefly fled to Japan and later served as Minister of Political Affairs. In 1917, he participated in the Constitutional Protection Movement as Minister of Communications and in 1921, served as a counselor to the Extraordinary President. In 1924, he was elected to the KMT Central Executive Committee. In 1925, he became Chairman of the National Government in Nanjing, and in 1935, he served as Chairman of both the Central Executive Committee and the Standing Committee.
Hu's calligraphy style was unique and distinguished, blending the characteristics of Chu Sui-Liang and Mi Fu in his regular and running scripts. In his later years, he excelled in clerical script, adopting the style of the Cao Quan Stele, which is known for its dignified and robust appearance. He was recognized as one of the "Four Great Calligraphers of the Republic of China," alongside Tan Yen-Kai, Yu Yu-Jen, and Wu Chih-Hui. The "Testament of the Prime Minister" at Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum in Nanjing was inscribed by him.
This work is an excerpt from Sun Yat-sen's "History of the Chinese Revolution," written in 1923: "Without transforming soldiers into workers, the current disputes cannot be resolved; without adopting the policy of counties as autonomous units, the Republic cannot be stabilized." This reflects Hu's admiration for Sun Yat-sen. The inscription indicates that it was written for Yao Wei-Hsin. Yao Wei-Hsin (1889-1977), originally named Cong, was a lieutenant general in the army, who served as the Chief of the General Office of the Whampoa Military Academy and the Chief of Police in the capital. He was also a representative of the first National Assembly and a renowned calligrapher.

Accession Number:PT09000203