明 焦竤 行草書札 冊頁|Letter

Jiao Hong

Date unknown · Album leaf; ink on paper · Asian Art

A native of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, Jiao Hong was a prolific scholar, noted bibliophile, and important calligrapher who passed the civil service examination in 1589 with the highest honors and was appointed to a succession of official positions before resigning and returning home in 1599. In this letter, Jiao acknowledges a request for his calligraphy relayed by Minister of Rites Huang Ruliang (1554–1647). The request entailed inscribing a panel with four large characters, “Famous Practitioner of the Medical Arts,” for someone to present to a certain Dr. Li as an expression of gratitude for his services.

Artist

Jiao Hong

Date

Date unknown

Medium

Album leaf; ink on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of John M. Crawford Jr., 1988