Collection
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Asian Art

Inkstone with a Design of Plum Blossoms and Inscription by Wu Changshi

Wu Changshuo

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Object Label

This ink stone was used in the preparation of fresh ink, by rubbing an ink stick in water on the smooth side of the stone. Here, the reverse side of the ink stone is shown so that the inscription and carved plum blossoms can be seen. Wu Changshuo (1844–1927, also known as Wu Changshi) was a prominent calligrapher, painter, and seal artist in the late Qing dynasty. Although Wu carved many seals, he carved very few ink stones, aside from this rare example. The inscription of seven characters in large seal script—“The words and fate of a gentleman are like those of a king” (yan ming jun zi qi ru wang)—is followed by the artist’s signature and the date, “second month, ninth day, 1909.”

Caption

Wu Changshuo (Chinese, 1844–1927). Inkstone with a Design of Plum Blossoms and Inscription by Wu Changshi, 1909. Stone relief, 1 1/4 x 7 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. (3.2 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Richard A. Dickes and Roger and Carolyn in memory of Jeffrey Frank Wacks and Caroline A.L. Pratt Fund, 1996.119.

Collection

Asian Art

Title

Inkstone with a Design of Plum Blossoms and Inscription by Wu Changshi

Date

1909

Dynasty

Qing Dynasty

Period

Qing Dynasty

Geography

Place made: China

Medium

Stone relief

Classification

Time, Calendar

Dimensions

1 1/4 x 7 3/4 x 7 3/4 in. (3.2 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm)

Inscriptions

On the back of the stone is an inscription of seven characters in large seal script reading "Yan ming jun zi qi ru wang" followed by the artist's signature and the date in small characters, reading "Yi you er yue jiu ri / Changshi Wu Jun" (Yi you year, i. e. 1909, 2nd month, 9th day, Wu Changshi)

Credit Line

Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Richard A. Dickes and Roger and Carolyn in memory of Jeffrey Frank Wacks and Caroline A.L. Pratt Fund

Accession Number

1996.119

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Artists and makers

Wu Changshuo

2 works in the collection