Han Yu’s Poetry in Running Script《行书韩愈诗轴》
Zhang Ruitu (张瑞图)
Zhang Ruitu, also known as Changgong and Ershui, was born in Jinjiang, Fujian in 1570 and passed away in 1641. He entered the cabinet during the thirty-fifth year of Wanli’s reign and also during the seventh year of Tianqi’s reign. Zhang Ruitu was an accomplished calligrapher, and he was known for his excellent cursive writing. He used a square and folded brushwork technique, which resulted in a very distinct and unique style. In 1628, he created this work, which features three seals under the title: “Guoting Mountain Man” in Zhu Wen, “Zhang Ruitu Seal” in Bai Wen, and “Zen in Calligraphy and Painting”. Chongzhen, the emperor at that time, allowed him to retire from his duties and become an official, and he was given the title of Taibao. He then left Beijing and returned to the south of the capital to write this poem on a boat on the Jihe River.
Zhang Ruitu’s work features a famous poem by Han Yu called “Mountain and Stone”. However, there are some missing lines in Zhang Ruitu’s version of the poem. One of the lines reads, “Life is so enjoyable, why bother to be a slave?” This line seems to reflect Zhang Ruitu’s mood when he wrote the poem, as he may have been feeling disillusioned or unsatisfied with his life at that time. Another line reads, “Alas, the two or three sons of our party will never return home until they grow old.” This line could be a reference to the political situation of the time or a personal matter. Regardless, Zhang Ruitu’s work is a testament to his skill as a calligrapher and his unique perspective on life.
张瑞图(1570~1641),字长公,号二水,福建晋江人。万历三十五年探花,天启七年入内阁。书法师法钟王,尤擅行草,却以方折的笔法为之,跌宕奇逸。
此幅作品为张瑞图1628年所作,款下钤有朱文圆章“果亭山人”、白文章“张瑞图印”、“书画禅”三印。是年崇祯允许其免官致仕,并加太保之衔,离京南归在济河舟中书此。韩愈《山石》诗极享盛名,张瑞图书写此诗有漏句,而诗中“人生如此自可乐,何必局束为人鞿,嗟哉吾党二三子,安得至老不更归”数句,似应是他书写此诗时的心情写照。