Rocks -- Illustration from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting (Shizhuzhai shuhua pu) before 1703

Curator: Here we have an illustration called "Rocks" by Hu Zhengyan, from his "Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Calligraphy and Painting." Editor: My first thought? It's got a real zen garden vibe, you know? Calm, contemplative, but with hidden crags and crevices. Curator: Indeed. This manual, from the late Ming Dynasty, aimed to teach proper techniques. Note the printing method: color woodblock, a relatively new technology then. Editor: That explains the subtle textures. It's like the ink is breathing. Makes me think about how something so solid, like a rock, can feel so…ephemeral. Curator: Exactly. Rocks in Chinese art symbolize endurance, serving as a reminder of history and the lasting power of cultural traditions. Editor: And yet, the artist captures this individual rock's quirky personality. It feels like a portrait. Maybe we are meant to see our own fleeting selves in something so ancient. Curator: Perhaps. By embracing this approach, this single "rock" image also shows us how such educational tools were shaping art appreciation for broader audiences. Editor: Well, it’s made me want to go and stare at a rock for a good long while. Find my inner peace, maybe.