明 清 周亮工 行書五言對聯|Couplet

Zhou Lianggong

mid- 17th century · Pair of hanging scrolls; ink on paper · Asian Art

You may have your method; As for me, I love my hut. This pithy verse by Zhou Lianggong may be taken as a mission statement for the recluse: regardless of what society may wish from you, inner peace is to be found at home, behind a closed gate, in a life of self-cultivation. In his lengthy career of service to the Ming and Qing dynasty governments, Zhou enjoyed great heights of success and suffered terrible depths of persecution, so his understanding of the appeal of withdrawal was well-earned.

Artist

Zhou Lianggong

Date

mid- 17th century

Medium

Pair of hanging scrolls; ink on paper

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Julia and John Curtis, in honor of Hongnam Kim, and in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2020