Calligraphy of Characters Yunqi
Artist
Fang Zhaoling
(Chinese, 1914 - 2006)
Date1986
MaterialsInk on paper
DimensionsH. 37 in x W. 17 1/4 in, H. 94 cm x W. 43.8cm (image); H. 71 in x W. 26 in, H. 180.3 cm x W. 66 cm (overall)
Credit LineGift of the artist's children
Object number2005.41
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on viewSignedArtist signature: Zhaoling 召麟。
Seal: 一生那有真閑日(白文長方印)；有得足矣(白文方印)。
InscribedVery close to the end of the year, I was very bothered by daily minor things, and wanted to calm myself down and concentrate on painting. However, the situation does not allow me to do so. To practice my strength of brush, I started creating characters in order to get the spiritual power and technique back
雲氣
年關將届，俗務紛煩，欲靜心作畫勢所不能。為練筆力手勁，習字數起，勉力為之，未始非一得也。
More InformationInscribed: Very close to the end of the year, I was bothered by minor daily things, and wanted to calm myself down and concentrate on painting. However, the situation did not allow me to do so. To practice my strength of brush, I started creating characters in order to get the spiritual power and technique back.
Yunqi is a Taoist phrase that translates character by character as "clouds and energy" or "clouds and spirit." In more than two thousand years of use, it has accumulated meanings so deep and complex as to render it virtually untranslatable. It is an appropriate term for the circumstances under which Fang Zhaoling created this calligraphy.
