Tang Poem in Clerical Script (Li-shu) c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have a fan from the Kangxi period by Wang Youdun, featuring a Tang poem in clerical script. The contrast between the dark blue and the gold calligraphy gives it a regal feeling. What do you make of this piece, considering its historical context? Curator: This fan, beyond its aesthetic appeal, embodies the integration of art and social practice. Fans in this period were often used as a canvas for displaying one's cultural refinement and social standing through calligraphy and poetry. Editor: So, it's a functional object that also serves as a status symbol? Curator: Precisely. The choice of the Tang poem and the clerical script, a formal style, further reinforces this. The act of gifting or receiving such a fan became a social performance, laden with meaning. Editor: That's fascinating. It really shifts my understanding of what art could be beyond just decoration. Curator: Indeed. Recognizing these elements allows us to appreciate the complex interplay between art, culture, and society in the Kangxi period.