Qing Dynasty "Calligraphy Scroll"

From: The Huntington
Limited Edition: 31
Exhibition: Treasures through Six Generations: Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Weng Collection
Material: Printed vinyl
Dimensions: 35" x 96" (88cm x 243cm)

Hanging Hardware Included

 

Description

The Huntington’s exhibition, Treasures through Six Generations: Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Weng Collection, covered the immense contribution to Chinese art made by the Weng family over nine centuries and through six generations. Both as artists and patrons, the family created and collected prominent works in traditional Chinese media. Their encyclopedic holdings stretch from the 13th century up until the present day.

These banners from the exhibition feature a classic Qing dynasty work “Calligraphy of the Character Hu (Tiger)” from 1890. The hanging scroll by Weng Tonghe features the sweeping lines of ancient cursive script which stand out against a mottled gold parchment background. The dramatic single character represents the word hu or “tiger,” a word regarded as a powerful talisman against harmful spirits. In this case, the fact that Weng Tonghe created this scroll in 1890, the Year of the Tiger, and the year he turned 60, gave the artwork particularly auspicious timing. Weng’s work was considered more powerful because of this timing, and because his work came at the height of his career as a teacher and trusted advisor to the Guangxu emperor.

Below the image on the banner is a deep, brick red band with white text that reads “April 11 - July13, 2009”. The other side of the banner is the same shade of brick red with gold and white text that reads, “The Huntington/ Painting and Calligraphy from the Weng Collection”.

Provenance

These banners were displayed around Los Angeles from April 11 through July 13, 2009 to promote the Huntington's exhibition Treasures through Six Generations: Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Weng Collection. The exhibition was also seen at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Beijing World Art Museum.