Poem 1567 - 1599

This is "Poem," made by Chen Yuansu in the late 16th or early 17th century. Executed in ink on paper, the fan's design immediately draws the eye to its semi-circular composition. The black ink calligraphy contrasts with the tan background, creating a striking visual rhythm. The poem's characters are not merely linguistic symbols; their arrangement and calligraphic style also function as visual elements. Notice how the characters vary in size and density. The interplay between the ink's darkness and the paper's lightness activates the pictorial space. This tension transforms the fan into a field of dynamic contrasts and invites us to consider the relationship between text and image, language and form. Ultimately, this fan destabilizes the traditional boundaries between writing and art. It invites viewers to contemplate how calligraphy can exist not only as a means of communication but also as a profound aesthetic experience, thereby functioning as a philosophical statement about art itself.