Tang Dynasty, Treasured Handscroll of Li Bai's “The River Merchant's Wife: A Letter (Changgan Xing) Part I” in Cursive Script (Caoshu)

Provenance of the Artwork

Jiu Mu Lin shi jiazu → Northern Song Ren Boyu → Northern Song Huizong Imperial Collection → Late Song/Early Yuan Zhou Mi Collection → Yuan Wenzong Imperial Collection → Yuan Dynasty Scholar Yuan Shiyuan → Ming Imperial Collection → Ming Mu Ying Family → Shen Zhou → Li Dongyang → Wen Zhengming → Zhan Jingfeng → Ni Yuanlu → Sun Chengze → Qing Kangxi Imperial Collection → Qing Yongzheng Imperial Collection → Qing Qianlong Imperial Collection → Ruan Yuan → Huang Shiling → Zhang Daqian → French Willtonstein Family → 1990s Japanese Collector

Author and Artwork Information

• Author: Li Bai
• Dynasty: Tang
• Dimensions: Not specified
• Material: Silk
• Format: Handscroll

Inscriptions

1. Guan Jue Gujin (Unsurpassed Through the Ages) — Qianlong (Guangyun Zhi Bao)
2. Hao Zong Piaoyi (Bold and Free) — Zhao Ji Imperial Inscription (Yushu)
3. Li Bai’s calligraphy in this scroll is elegant, majestic, naturally flowing, ethereal yet lively, with strength in the strokes without relying on conventional ink methods. — Zhou Mi
4. Spirit extends outward, vigorous and free-flowing. — Zhu Yunming (Seal of Zhu Yunming)
5. Classic and unadorned, strokes expressive and elegant, adhering to Tang rules. — Wen Zhengming (Seal of Wen Zhengming)
6. Li Bai, called the “Poet Immortal,” was open-minded, cheerful, sociable, fond of wine, detached from fame and profit yet virtuous. Observing this scroll is like acquiring a treasure. — Wang Jian (Seal of Wang Jian)

Seal of the Author: Li Bai

Collector’s Seals (Jianzang Yin)

1. Mi — Zhou Mi (1232–1298 or 1308, zi Gongjin, hao Caocuang, Xiaozhai, Pingzhou, Xiao Zhai; late life Bianyang Laoren, Si Shui Qianfu, Hua Bu Zhu Shanren; from Wuxing; famous late Song/early Yuan poet, scholar, and calligraphy & painting connoisseur)
2. Zhongyue Shanren — Zhan Jingfeng (Ming dynasty, 1532–1602; from Liutang, Xiuning, Huizhou)
3. Sun Shi Wan Juan Lou Yin — Sun Chengze (1592–1676, zi Erbei / Erbo, hao Beihai, Tuigu; from Yidu, Shandong; Ming Chongzhen jinshi; Qing official, Minister of Personnel, Left Vice Minister)
4. De Weng — Ren Boyu (c.1047–1119, famous Northern Song remonstrator)
5. Gong Lai — Huang Shiling (zi Mufu, hao Juansou; founder of Yishan school of seal carving; late Qing calligrapher, painter, and seal artist)
6. Yuan Xue Wei Neng — Wen Zhengming (1470–1559, name Bi, zi Zhengming, hao Hengshan Jushi; Ming painter, calligrapher, scholar, poet)
7. Chengnan Shushe — Yuan Dynasty Scholar Yuan Shiyuan (1306, zi Yanzhang, hao Jucun Laoren; famous Yuan poet and scholar)
8. Gong Jin Fu — Zhou Mi
9. Mu Pu Ting Zhang — Ming Mu Family
10. Lin Shi Zhenwan — Jiu Mu Lin Family
11. Yun Yi Zi
12. Huanxi Yuan — Qianlong
13. Guan Tiandi Shengwu Qixiang — Qianlong
14. Qianlong Yushang Zhi Bao — Qianlong
15. Qishi Yi Feng Shenchu — Li Dongyang
16. Jia Zhu Yangzhou Wenxuan Lou Sui Cao Xian Gu Li — Ruan Yuan
17. De Ri Xin — Qianlong
18. Qianlong Yulan Zhi Bao — Qianlong
19. Jing Zhong Guan Zaohua — Qianlong
20. Wanyou Tongchun — Qianlong
21. Ziqiang Buxi — Qianlong
22. Fengchi Bianding Neifu Shuhua — Qianlong
23. Shou — Qianlong
24. Sheng Qiu Ting — Qianlong
25. Ji Xi You Yu Xiang — Qianlong
26. Da Ming Huangdi Zhi Bao — Ming Dynasty
27. Qingxin Shu Miao Li — Qianlong
28. Chizao Wei Chun — Qianlong
29. Suo Bao Wei Xian — Qianlong
30. Songzhu Yi Ting Daoxin — Qianlong
31. Yanyun Shujuan — Qianlong
32. Suo Bao Wei Xian — Qianlong
33. Ciben — Qianlong
34. Qianqinggong Bao — Qianlong
35. Tian Zai Wei Shi — Qianlong
36. Xie Xin — Qianlong
37. Ru Yan Qiu Guang Jin Shi Shi — Qianlong
38. Guizhang Wenfu — Qianlong
39. Ciben — Qianlong
40. Yangxindian Jiancang Bao — Qianlong
41. Tian En Ba Xun — Qianlong
42. Ru Shi Guan — Qianlong
43. Mi Dian Zhulin — Qianlong
44. Maoqin Dian Jianding Zhang — Qianlong
45. Zheng Kui Zhai
46. Mi Dian Xin Bian — Qianlong
47. Wanguo Nongsang Wumei Zhong — Qianlong
48. Tianli Zhi Bao — Yuan Wenzong
49. Gen Di Yi Cheng — Qianlong
50. Yin Yong Chunfeng Li — Qianlong
51. De Ri Xin — Qianlong
52. Yushufang Jiancang Bao — Qianlong
53. You Fu Hui Ye — Qianlong
54. Shi Quan Laoren — Qianlong
55. Jian Gu — Qianlong
56. Xue Jing Qian Gu — Qianlong
57. Hua Chan Feng — Qianlong
58. Sanxi Tang Jingjian Xi — Qianlong
59. Yi Zisun — Qianlong
60. Huangdi Zhi Bao — Qianlong
61. Chen Han — Qianlong
62. Feng San Wusi — Qianlong
63. Yan Lu — Qianlong
64. Han Hao Miao Ran — Qianlong
65. Gu Xi Tianzi — Qianlong
66. Leshou Tang Jiancang Bao — Qianlong
67. Gu Xi Tianzi — Qianlong
68. Yunxia Si — Qianlong
69. Neifu Zhen Cang — Qianlong
70. Yongzheng Yulan Zhi Bao — Yongzheng
71. Jian Tian Xin — Qianlong
72. Le Wanmin Zhi Suo Le — Qianlong
73. Guan Shu Wei Le — Qianlong
74. Shufang Zhai — Qianlong
75. Qian — Qianlong
76. Kong Yan Le Chu Shui Xun De — Qianlong
77. Chui Lu — Qianlong
78. Yi Ou Xiang Ru Ting Diao Qin — Qianlong
79. Chunhua Xuan — Qianlong
80. Wangji Xinyu Kuang — Qianlong
81. Shiqu Baoji — Qianlong
82. Jing Tian Qin Min Zhi Bao — Kangxi
83. Qi Li Yi Wang Yan — Qianlong
84. Qianlong Chenhan — Qianlong
85. Shiqu Baoji Suo Cang — Qianlong
86. Chen Yuan Feng Er Chi Shen Shi Neifu Jinshi Wenzi — Ruan Yuan
87. Shi Quan Laoren Zhi Bao — Qianlong
88. Shiqu Dingjian — Qianlong
89. Baoji Chongbian — Qianlong
90. Zhulin Fu Wei — Qianlong
91. Shiqu Jijian — Qianlong
92. Beihai Sun Shi Zhen Cang Shuhua Yin — Sun Chengze
93. Qianning Wang Shijia — Ming Mu Ying Family
94. Gong Yu Qingwan — Qianning Wang Mu Ang
95. Bao Zhi
96. Li Bai
97. Qi Zhou Shi — Zhou Mi
98. Daxueshi Zhang — Ming Imperial Grand Secretariat Official Zhang
99. Jia Dun Zhenji — Shen Zhou
100. Zhou Gong Jin Fu — Zhou Mi
101. Dong Yi
102. Tian Yin
103. Xiao Xing Yin
104. Ta Shi Shi — Ni Yuanlu
105. Beiping Sun Shi Ai Shan Zhai Tushu — Sun Chengze
106. Luo Zhi Yun Yan — Qianlong
107. Dong Xi Nan Bei Zhi Ren — Zhang Daqian
108. Hanlin Bianxiu — Qianlong
109. Wu Yi

Text of the Poem
Chang Gan Xing · Qi Yi
My hair first covered my forehead, picking flowers before the door.
My lord rode a bamboo horse, circling the bed, playing with green plums.
We lived together in Chang Gan li, two children without suspicion.
At fourteen I became your wife, my shy face never opened.
I lowered my head to the dark wall, a thousand calls went unanswered.
At fifteen I began to raise my brow, wishing to be with dust and ash.
I often held the pillar of faith, not gazing at the Husband’s Platform.
At sixteen my lord traveled far, through Qutang Yanyu rapids.
May was untouchable, monkey cries mourned in the sky.
Footprints lingered at the door, each sprouting green moss.
The moss grew too deep to sweep, fallen leaves arrived early with the autumn wind.
In August, butterflies came, flying in pairs over the western garden grass.
Feeling this saddened my heart, sitting, worrying that my beauty will fade.
Soon I will descend to Sanba, sending letters home.
Meeting you, I do not speak of distance, straight to Changfeng Sha.
— Calligraphy by Li Taibai

Artwork Description
Chang Gan Xing · Qi Yi, handscroll on silk, ink brush, cursive script (caoshu), five-character poem, signed Li Taibai bishu. Total 160 characters. The calligraphy is vigorous, bold, and free-flowing, with uneven rhythm and natural vitality. The title is precise and compact, while the body flows gracefully, showing tension and release in brushwork. Viewing the scroll, one can sense the character of the poet himself: elegant, bold, and transcendent. The opening includes Qianlong’s imperial inscription “Guan Jue Gujin,” praising the work, while the end carries Huizong’s inscription “Hao Zong Piaoyi,” accurately characterizing its style. The scroll features 109 collector’s seals spanning emperors, nobles, and literati; Qianlong’s seals alone total over 70. This handscroll’s provenance is exceptionally well-documented and historically rare.

Creation Background
Chang Gan Xing · Qi Yi is one of a pair of poems by Li Bai, written during his first visit to Jinling (modern Nanjing) in late 725 or early 726 (Kaiyuan 14). Chang Gan is a place in today’s Qinhuai District, Nanjing. The poem narrates a merchant woman’s deep love and longing for her husband traveling far for business. The narrative evokes the innocent childhood love, the waiting and yearning, and transforms into imagery like butterflies in August. Li Bai uses the treacherous Qutang rapids and moss at the doorstep to depict her intense devotion. While Li Bai is famed for his poetry, few of his calligraphic works survive; this scroll allows a rare glimpse into the emotional depth and aesthetic elegance of the Tang poet.

Author Biography

Li Bai (701–762)

Zi Taibai, also known as Chang Geng, styled Qinglian Jushi. Ancestral home in Longxi Chengji (near modern Tianshui, Gansu), born in Suiye (present-day Tokmak, Kyrgyzstan). Summoned to serve in the Hanlin Academy in 742 (Tianbao era), later slandered and left the capital. He traveled widely, indulging in poetry and wine. Li Bai was a great Tang poet, also skilled in calligraphy. His poetry creatively employed Romantic techniques, achieving perfect unity of content and form, earning him the title Shixian (“Poet Immortal”). Poems collected in Li Taibai Ji.

Colophon Authors’ Biographies (Partial Representatives)

Qianlong Emperor, Qing Gaozong Aisin Gioro Hongli (1711–1799), the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty, also known as Changchun Jushi, Xintian Zhuren; in later years called Guxi Tianzi, Shiquan Laoren. The reign title “Qianlong” signifies “Prosperity of Heaven’s Way.” He reigned for sixty years, and after abdication continued to exercise supreme power as regent for three years, for a total of sixty-three years and four months—the longest actual rule in Chinese history. He was also the longest-lived emperor. His reign coincided with the peaceful prosperity of the Qing dynasty. Passionate about the arts, Qianlong promoted the development of craftsmanship, elevating artistic techniques to unprecedented heights. He was also an expert in antique appraisal and an avid collector, playing an important role in cultural preservation.

Song Huizong, Zhao Ji (1082–1135), emperor of the Northern Song dynasty, and accomplished painter and calligrapher. During his reign, he amassed an extensive collection of antiquities and paintings, reaching unprecedented scale. He personally oversaw the Hanlin Painting Academy, developing imperial court painting. He gathered painters widely, established the Xuanhe Painting Academy, trained outstanding painters including Wang Ximeng, and organized/editing the Xuanhe Shupu, Xuanhe Huapu, and Xuanhe Bogutu, which remain valuable references in art history. Skilled in both calligraphy and painting, he created the “Slender Gold” script. His painting achievements were also remarkable, with representative works including Ruihe Tu, Furong Jinqi Tu, Hong Liao Bai E Tu, and Chitang Qiu Wan Tu.

Zhou Mi (1232–1298), zi Gongjin, hao Caocuang, also called Xiaozhai, Pingzhou, Xiao Zhai; later known as Bianyang Laoren, Si Shui Qianfu, Hua Bu Zhu Shanren. Born in Licheng (now Jinan, Shandong), resided in Qiantang (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang). Poet, scholar, and calligraphy/painting connoisseur of the late Song and early Yuan. His family owned many important calligraphy models and paintings, which he expertly appraised. Skilled in composing poems, particularly on plum, bamboo, orchid, and rock subjects. His work is elegant, rich, and metrically strict. Often paired with Wu Wenying (hao Mengchuang), collectively called “Er Chuang.” Also proficient in calligraphy. His writings include poetry collections Caocuang Jiushi, Pingzhou Yudi Pu, Yunyan Guoyan Lu, Haoran Zhai Yatan; compiled Juemiao Hao Ci Jian covering over 100 lyricists; historical note collections include Wulin Jiushi, Qidong Yeyu, Guixin Zashi.

Zhu Yunming (1461–1527), zi Xizhe, nicknamed Zhi Shan due to a unique appearance and an extra finger on his right hand; also called Zhu Jingzhao. From Changzhou (now Suzhou, Jiangsu). Famous Ming dynasty calligrapher, skilled in poetry and literature, widely renowned for his calligraphy. One of the “Four Talents of Wu” alongside Tang Yin, Wen Zhengming, and Xu Zhenqing; representative calligrapher of mid-Ming along with Wen Zhengming and Wang Chong. Early regular script followed Zhao Mengfu and Chu Suiliang, drawing inspiration from Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan, pursuing the style of the “Two Wangs.” Cursive script followed Li Yong, Huang Tingjian, and Mi Fu, with deep mastery, especially innovative and flamboyant in later years. Representative works include Taihu Shijuan, Konghou Yin, Chibi Fu, as well as surviving Liu Ti Shu Shi Fu Juan, Cursive Du Fu Shi Juan, Nineteen Ancient Poems, Cursive Tangren Shi Juan, and Cursive Shihan Juan.

Wen Zhengming (1470–1559), birth name Bi, zi Zhengming, style name Zhengzhong, hao Hengshan Jushi, also known as Wen Daizhao; from Changzhou (now Suzhou, Jiangsu), ancestral home Hengshan. A leading Ming dynasty painter, calligrapher, scholar, and poet; one of the Wu School masters, ranked with Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying as the “Ming Four Masters.” Together with Zhu Yunming, Tang Yin, and Xu Zhenqing, counted among the “Four Talents of Wu.” Versatile in painting and calligraphy, particularly noted for landscapes and small regular script, with elegant, refined style. Early career included repeated unsuccessful imperial exams; in 1523 (Jiajing 2) admitted to Hanlin Academy as a scholar, participated in compiling Wuzong Shilu. Retired four years later to focus on art for over thirty years. Works include poetry, painting, inscriptions, and model calligraphy, representative pieces such as Zhenshang Zhai Tu, Gumu Hanquan Tu, Qianhou Chibi Fu in small regular script. His sons Wen Peng and Wen Jia continued the family legacy, with Wen Peng founding the Wu School seal carving style, influencing future seal art.

Wang Jian (1598–1677), zi Yuanzhao / Yuanzhao, hao Xiangbi, Ranxiang Anzhu; from Taicang, Jiangsu; grandson of Ming Minister of Justice Wang Shizhen. One of the “Six Masters of Early Qing” or “Four Wangs and Wu Yun,” painter of late Ming and early Qing. Specialized in landscapes, continuing the traditions of Dong Yuan, Juran, and “Four Yuan Masters.” Early style influenced by Huang Gongwang, similar to Wang Shimin; mid to late career absorbed methods from Juran and Wang Meng, using central tip brush, rich ink tones, fine texture. Produced green-and-blue landscapes with methodical layering, simple and elegant charm. Style evolved from Wang Shimin but maintained admired antiquarian skill. Mentored Wang Hui and Wu Li before they gained fame. Works include Ranxiang An Ji, Ranxiang An Huapu, among others.