Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Eight poems
Calligrapher Xiong Tingbi Chinese
Not on view
明 熊廷弼 行書八詩 卷 紙本
After passing the highest level of imperial examinations, Xiong Tingbi built a career as a military leader. He rose to take charge of military affairs in the northeast, where he was tasked with defending the Great Wall against the Manchus, who would ultimately invade China and found the Qing dynasty. After early success in strengthening local defense, Xiong was accused of deserting his post in battle and was executed unjustly in 1625.
Though not well known as a calligrapher, Xiong had a confident and bold hand. In this work, he transcribes eight of his poems on a monumental scale. Over thirty feet long with each character nearly five inches tall, the work represents a challenge to the mainstream genteel aesthetic of the time. It is tempting to see some of the general’s martial spirit in the broad, sweeping strokes.
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