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Commentary on the Dingwu Version of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion
Commentary on the Dingwu Version of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion

Commentary on the Dingwu Version of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion

Artist (Chinese, 1733 - 1818)
DynastyQing dynasty (1644-1911)
MaterialsInk on gold-speckled paper
DimensionsH. 15 3/8 in x W. 66 1/2 in, H. 39.1 cm x W. 168.3 cm (overall); H. 12 1/4 in x W. 50 7/8 in, H. 31.1 cm x W. 129.2 cm (image)
Credit LineThe Yeh Family Collection
Object number2016.256
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
SignedSignature: 翁方綱 。 Seal: “翁方綱” 白文方印; “覃溪” 朱文方印。
Inscribed定武蘭亭以趙子固落水本最為著稱，然吴傅朋得於長安薛氏之本即所谓趙集賢十三跋者也。後歸曹世長，有鲜于伯幾及柯敬仲手跋，董香光品定此本以為真蹟。惜涿鹿馮氏僅以趙臨本入石，而未刻其前定武本及諸跋耳。
More Information
The Elegant Gathering at the Orchid Pavilion, organized by Wang Xizhi in 353, served as a model for gatherings of China's educated elite for centuries afterward. This event was commemorated by a series of poems written by the participants. Wang Xizhi himself wrote the introduction,
which became perhaps the single most influential piece of calligraphy in Chinese history. Although the original has been lost, the piece was copied and recorded in a number of versions. One such version was the inspiration for this piece by Weng Fanggang.
CONTENT
In his commentary Weng states that, among the Dingwu versions of the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion," the so-called Zhao Zigu's Water-Dropped Rubbing version is said to be the best. He goes on to trace the history of the piece: who owned it, who added inscriptions, and so on.