chinese calligraphy
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Wang Duo was a Chinese calligrapher, painter, and poet during the Ming dynasty, renowned for his artistic versatility and the cultural depth of his work. Born in Mengjin, Henan province, Wang Duo left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of China, bridging the late Ming and early Qing dynasties with his creative expression.
His works, such as a mountain landscape dated 1651, showcase his mastery of ink on paper, reflecting the aesthetic preferences and skilled craftsmanship of the Qing dynasty period. Another remarkable piece, a free copy of Xu Jiaozhi’s calligraphy dating back to 1635, is a testament to his prowess in calligraphic arts, executed on a hanging scroll with ink on satin. Additionally, his lettering on gold-flecked paper, a medium that added a luminous quality to his work, is preserved as an album leaf, evidencing the fusion of literary and visual arts during the late Ming to early Qing dynasty.
For collectors, auctioneers, and experts in art and antiques, Wang Duo’s works not only represent a significant cultural heritage but also offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Chinese history through art. His legacy is encapsulated in the intricate strokes of his calligraphy and the serene landscapes of his paintings, many of which are held in prestigious institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art. To stay informed on updates related to Wang Duo and similar artists, sign up for our newsletter and enrich your collection with the essence of Chinese art history.
Athanasius Kircher was a German scholar, inventor, professor of mathematics and oriental studies, and a friar of the Jesuit order.
Kircher knew Greek and Hebrew, did scientific and humanities research in Germany, and was ordained in Mainz in 1628. During the Thirty Years' War he was forced to flee to Rome, where he remained for most of his life, serving as a kind of intellectual and information center for cultural and scientific information drawn not only from European sources but also from an extensive network of Jesuit missionaries. He was particularly interested in ancient Egypt and attempted to decipher hieroglyphics and other riddles. Kircher also compiled A Description of the Chinese Empire (1667), which was long one of the most influential books that shaped the European view of China.
A renowned polymath, Kircher conducted scholarly research in a variety of disciplines, including geography, astronomy, mathematics, languages, medicine, and music. He wrote some 44 books, and more than 2,000 of his manuscripts and letters have survived. He also assembled one of the first natural history collections.
