Page 70 - Sotheby's Qianlong Calligraphy Oct. 3, 2018

fig. 10
Shiqu baoji chubian, Appendix on Works housed in the Sanxitang (Hall of the
Three Rarities), chapter on calligraphic albums by masters of past dynasties
in the upper class in the Sanxitang
圖十
〈附．貯三希堂．列朝人書冊上等〉，《石渠寶笈．初編》

Autumn Manuscript, with a preface: The Gold God governs opportune moment, and the work truly captivated our heart,
the affairs of autumn; Suhao manages the time. Cicadas sing and so we have made this inscription to commemorate our
in the autumn wind. Beyond the terrace opens the Heavenly lingering pleasure. Imperially-inscribed at the Hall of the Three
Gate. Magpies fly towards the morning moon. In front of a Rarities”. Following this are the three imperial seals Weijing
tower, a mirror reflects moonlight. The harvest, bountiful weiyi, Qianlong chenhan and Xiebiliu yunzao. At the end of the
beyond measure, forms a scene of beauty without end. The scroll is a painting by Ding Guanpeng, who records, ‘In spring
moon is perfectly round on the fifteenth night. Dewdrops of the bingyin year of the Qianlong reign, I was bestowed the
fill the lingzhi plate. The magpies soar above as the stars opportunity to view the authentic Mid-Autumn Manuscript
cast their light down. In the brisk air, orchids grow between by Wang Xianzhi. His Majesty ordered the servant Guanpeng
rocks; mandarin ducks luxuriate in the drifting fragrance of to make a painting to append to the scroll. ‘The autumn
sweet Osmanthus—no need for music from string and wind colours evenly divided; above the branches of the Wutong tree
instruments to disperse it. I go through this pleasing writing. hangs the moon’. The servant proposed this poem in deep
It is a beautiful piece appropriate for New Year, its form unlike reverence for the miraculous work by the ancient master.
Su’s style. Throughout the days I read these golden words. The servant climbs towards Upper Purity, his feet lost in the
Remembering Han, I have thus composed four quatrains, all clouds and mist. He looks up towards the Langyuan Paradise,
with seven-character lines: ‘The winds and moonlight of this his eyes dazzled by the constellations. He is ashamed for
night are not ordinary; ordinary winds and moonlight must be his incompetent painting, which is truly a ‘ferret’s tail’.
forgotten. The six stars of the Southern Dipper approach the Respectfully inscribed by the servant Ding Guanpeng”. 1
Northern Gate; The Western Flower hangs, mirror-like, over 2. Fascicle three, volume one, “upper-class works of
Eastern Mountain. Ultimately I prefer this autumn scenery, calligraphy by masters of past dynasties housed in the
with the fragrance of flowers weaving through the shadows imperial study” (fig. 11):
of Osmanthus leaves. Think the scenery of the Toad Palace Fascicle three of Shiqu baoji
of yesterday—the subtleties of the autumn hair, perfect as it Holdings of the imperial study
is. The festive goods of the streets test the craftsman, who Index of paintings and calligraphy by masters of past
must carve the round moon into a good poem. On Taiye dynasties
Lake, autumn winds wash over the golden threads. There is Calligraphy fascicle, upper class chapter:
no need to reexcavate Ying’e Pond. The jade-like skies and Erxietie by Wang Xizhi of the Jin dynasty (tian one)
pearl-like dews adorn the Five Cloud Terrace, telling us that Mid-Autumn Manuscript by Wang Xianzhi of the Jin dynasty
spring has given way to autumn. I have tried to create a new (di one)
story about the Jade Hall, cutting paper to rush this poem on Feiniaotie by Wang Xianzhi, copied by Chu Suiliang of the
the moon.’ Composed by Qianlong in the eighth month of the Tang dynasty (yuan one)
year bingyin. We then ordered the officials of the inner court Encomium of Ni Kuan’s Biography by Chu Suiliang of the Tang
to compose poems after the same rhymes so as to celebrate dynasty (yuan two) 2
the Elder Secretariat Director’s Mid-Autumn Manuscript, and
so we have recorded these activities after the work. It was an 3. Fascicle three, volume one, “upper-class works of

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