Poem on Winter Warmth in a Palace Garden, Emperor Xuanzong (1399-1435), Ming dynasty. Hanging scroll, ink on paper, 47.3 x 23.9 cm

Emperor Xuanzong's accomplishments in calligraphy are frequently overshadowed by his renown in painting, with later critics stating that it is "from that of the Shen Brothers (Du and Can) of Huating. Not only was he capable at mellow brushwork, he also gave it vigor." This work, done in the sixth year of his reign (1431), was presented to Director Cheng Nanyun. The character forms are similar to those of the famous Yuan dynasty calligrapher Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322), reflecting trends found in calligraphy since the early Ming dynasty. Here, however, the application of the brush was quicker, the places where the brush was applied and lifted appearing unornamented. Cheng Nanyun was a Secretariat Drafter gifted at calligraphy in the Yongle reign (1403-1424). Excelling at painting and calligraphy, he was especially talented in seal and clerical script.Anthology of Poetry by Emperor Xuanzong also includes a poem entitled "Song on Cursive Script" done for Cheng Nanyun in 1432.

Text and images are provided by National Palace Museum