Seal Script Couplet《篆书通联》

Zhao Hengguang (1559–1625)
Zhao Hengguang, courtesy name Fanfu and Shuichen, and pseudonym Guangping, was a descendant of the Song dynasty royal family, from Taicang, Jiangsu. He never sought official positions, living reclusively with his wife, Lu Qingzi, studying ancient texts, earning fame as a noble scholar in the Suzhou region. Skilled in poetry, prose, and calligraphy, he was particularly renowned for his seal script, with both he and his wife being celebrated figures of their time.

“Seal Script Couplet”
Seal script is traditionally formal and precise, characterized by iron lines and silver hooks, following strict conventions. Zhao Hengguang, however, innovated by incorporating cursive script brushstrokes, creating the “Cursive Seal Script.” This unique style broke from the traditional, rigid elegance of seal script since the Qin dynasty, introducing a dynamic and expressive quality that greatly influenced later calligraphy. This couplet showcases rich variations in brush and ink, with strong rhythmic and melodic lines, offering a distinctive charm. Note that this piece is not a strict couplet, but rather a popular late Ming “one and a half” line format, later split into two lines by collectors.

Inscription: “The round moon reflects in the three rivers with a spiritual heart; colorful pens form five-colored clouds.”

赵宧光（1559—1625），字凡夫，一字水臣，号广平，为宋王室后裔，南直隶太仓（今江苏太仓）人。一生不仕，偕妻陆卿子隐于寒山，读书稽古，以高士名冠吴中。工诗文，擅书法，尤精篆书，夫妇皆有名于时。

小篆书本属极为庄重的字体，铁画银钩、一丝不苟。赵宧光却反其道而行之，加入草书的笔法，独创“草篆”，既不同于历史的篆书书风，也有别于时代的书家，打破了自秦代以来篆书以工整婉约为主调的沉闷局面，对后世书坛启发极大。此件草篆条幅笔墨变化丰富，线条的节奏感、韵律感强烈，别有一番韵味。另外，此件非严格意义上的对联，只是晚明流行的“一行半”联语，后人将其裁开成为两条。

释文：灵心圆映三江月，彩笔叠成五色云。