Five Character Couplet in the Style of Collected Shu Calligraphy《集蜀素帖五言联》

Weng Tonghe (1830–1904)
Weng Tonghe, courtesy name Shuping, and pseudonyms Songchan and Pinglu, among others, was the top scholar of the sixth year of Xianfeng (1856) and hailed from Changshu, Jiangsu. He served as tutor to emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu, advocated resistance against foreign powers, recommended Kang Youwei, and supported the Reform Movement, making him a significant political figure in modern Chinese history. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title “Wengong.”

Weng Tonghe’s scholarly pursuits spanned the Han and Song dynasties, with his literary work grounded in the Tongcheng School and poetry influenced by the Jiangxi School. He occasionally painted but was particularly renowned for his calligraphy, being one of the giants of late Qing calligraphy. His calligraphy followed Yan Zhenqing’s robust style, combined with the influences of Su Dongpo, Mi Fu, and Northern Wei steles, with a rhythmical blend of elegance and sturdiness. This couplet, composed in his unique style, incorporates characters from Mi Fu’s “Shu Su Tie,” executed with powerful and cohesive brushwork, making it a rare masterpiece.

Translation of couplet:
“Lowering the fishing rod into the deep ravine; The crane soars, presenting a clear and graceful posture.”

翁同龢（1830—1904），字叔平，号松禅、瓶庐等，咸丰六年（1856）状元，江苏常熟人。他先后为同治、光绪两代帝师，主张抗击列强，举荐康有为，支持变法维新，是近代史上颇有影响的政治家。卒后追谥“文恭”。

翁同龢学通汉宋，文宗桐城，诗近江西，间作画，尤以书法名世，为晚清书坛巨擘。书宗颜真卿，取其浑厚，又学苏东坡、米芾及汉隶北碑，用笔快慢有致，秀拙相间，富有节奏感，极具中正醇雅气象，历来评价极高。此联为他以己意集米芾《蜀素帖》字，一气呵成，力能扛鼎，是他少见的精品力作。

释文：垂竿深涧底，翥鹤呈清姿。