Traces of the Brush: Studies in Chinese Calligraphy

Excerpt from the Foreword: Esteemed as the epitome of artistic accomplishment, calligraphy in China has traditionally been considered superior to painting and was, indeed, teh mode of expression from which painting devolved. The elegance and sophistication fo the fluent brushstrokes which make up the Chinese characters can be appreciated even by those unfamiliar with the Chinese aesthetic. The scholarly study of calligraphy is complicated by the existence of many copies of much admired prototypes; since some of these copies are contemporaneous and others were done in later centuries, the question of authenticity is a complex one. The copies are often beautiful and accurate reproductions of lost originals, and have an aesthetic value of their own, in addition to their documentary value. The purpose of this exhibition and catalogue is to provide for the Western audience a means for understanding and gaining access to this fascinating subject. The author, Shen C. Y. Fu, an eminent scholar of Chinese art, addresses himself not only to questions of connoisseurship - establishing and defining the various categories of copies - but also to a preliminary outline for a comprehensive history of Chinese scripts. We offer the text of this catalogue as a contribution to the understanding and appreciation fo the highly cultivated art of calligraphy.