After Three Rubbings

Yun Shouping's normal writing style derives from the Tang master Chu Suiliang (596–658). In this fan, however, Yun copied texts by three other early masters preserved in stone rubbings. From right to left the texts are: Classic of the Yellow Court, attributed to Wang Xizhi (303?–361?); Xuanjing bei by Zhang Sizhi (dates unknown); and the Zhengzuo tie by Yan Zhenqing (709–785). In each case, Yun's graceful hand softens the distinguishing marks of the originals; the writing is naturally his own.

Credit: Bequest of John M. Crawford Jr., 1988