Longevity over Rivers and Mountains《江山寿考图轴》

Jiang Zhan and Fellow Artists
This collaborative work was initiated by Jiang Zhan of Changzhou, with contributions from fellow calligraphers and painters Tao Zhu, Gu Kunbo (from Wuxi), and Fang Yi. The piece was created to commemorate the 60th birthday of Mr. Liu Guojun, reflecting both the artistic skills and the close relationship between the artists and the honoree. The work is a remarkable integration of poetry, calligraphy, and painting, embodying the collective creativity of its contributors and serving as a testament to their friendship with Mr. Liu. The historical significance of the work lies in its celebration of a milestone birthday, as well as in the interaction between the artists and their patron.

The inscription reads:
“Jiang Shan Shou Kao. On March 9, Ding Hai, Jiang Zhan asked Tao Zhu, Gu Kunbo, and Fang Yi to write this to wish my brother Guo Jun a happy 60th birthday. Cang Nan Tang Ken recorded it in Shuangyuan.”

The inscription is accompanied by two seals: “Tang Ken’s Calligraphy and Painting” in white ink and “Descendants of Jingchuan” in red ink. On the lower left side of the painting are three additional seals: “Gu Kunbo Seal” in white, “Erquan Jushi” in red, and “Shuangyuan Calligraphy and Painting” in red.

Poetic Inscriptions
The upper right corner of the painting features a poetic inscription, which reads:
“White clouds have just cleared, and willow trees are visible on the pavilions. People come to the green mountains, and the cups are full of clear wine. I have collected the poems of Sikong Tu and would like to wish Mr. Guojun a happy 60th birthday. My brother Jiang Weiqiao.”
This inscription is marked with the red seal “Jiang Weiqiao.”

The second inscription expresses the following sentiment:
“The elegance of red trees and green mountains, the spirit of green pines and bamboos. Sixty years of towering buildings, a hundred years of clothing for everyone. Written in the spring of Dinghai to wish Mr. Guojun a happy 60th birthday, my brother Sha Yankai.”
The seal accompanying this inscription reads:
“Daily people are empty old, every spring snow returns. Happy in the cup of wine, no need to cherish the flowers flying.”

A Masterpiece of Collaborative Art
This work stands as a masterpiece of collaborative poetry, calligraphy, and painting, a rare and significant piece that celebrates both an individual’s milestone and the deep artistic bonds between the contributors. The integration of poetry with calligraphy and painting not only highlights the aesthetic skills of the artists but also reflects the cultural significance of the occasion. Through this work, Jiang Zhan, Tao Zhu, Gu Kunbo, Fang Yi, Jiang Weiqiao, and Sha Yankai together created an enduring tribute to Mr. Liu Guojun, marked by the richness of its historical and artistic value.

此作为常州江湛领衔，嘱同里书画家陶洙、顾坤伯（无锡）、房毅三人合作，为祝贺刘国钧先生六十大寿。又有蒋维乔（常州）、沙彦楷（宜兴）题诗，唐肯（常州）题款，是一件诗书画俱佳的精品之作，亦见证了他们与刘国钧先生人之间的交往，有一定的历史价值。

款署：“江山寿考。丁亥三月九日，江湛属陶洙、顾坤伯、房毅合写，祝国钧老弟六十寿，沧谙唐肯记于双园。”款下钤白文“唐肯书画”、朱文“荆川后人”二印。画左下钤白文“顾坤伯印”、朱文“二泉居士”、朱文“双园书画”三印。

画右上题款一：“白云初晴，杨柳楼台。碧山人徕，清酒满杯。集司空图诗品，敬祝国钧先生六十寿，弟蒋维乔。”钤朱文“蒋维乔”印。题款二：“红树青山风度，苍松翠竹精神。六秩楼台岳岳，百年衣被人人。丁亥春日题祝国钧先生六十寿，弟沙彦楷。”钤白文“日日人空老，年年春雪归。相欢在尊酒，不用惜花飞”印。