Seven Character Couplet in Running Script《行书七言联》

Wu Hufan (1894–1968)
Initially named Yiyan, courtesy name Yujun, later renamed Wan, courtesy name Dongzhuang, and signed his paintings and calligraphy as Hufan. He was the grandson of the renowned painter and collector Wu Dacheng, from Suzhou. Wu Hufan was deeply influenced by his family’s artistic environment, excelling in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, with a vast collection. He was one of the twentieth-century Chinese art giants. Along with Pu Ru, he was known as “Southern Wu and Northern Pu,” and with Wu Zishen, Wu Daiqiu, and Feng Chaoran, they were collectively called “Three Wus and One Feng.”

“Seven Character Couplet in Running Script”
Wu Hufan initially studied the “slender gold” script of Song Huizong and later acquired Mi Fu’s “Poetry Scroll of Duojing Tower” manuscript, focusing on Mi Fu’s style. He combined the two, capturing Huizong’s elegance and Mi’s vigor, creating a new style different from the mainstream. This couplet exemplifies his calligraphic style, with harmonious ink and paper interaction, and fluid brushwork, showcasing his skillful writing.

Translation of couplet:
“Books arranged in long and short rows, jade pendants linked together in unity.”

吴湖帆（1894—1968），初名翼燕，字遹骏，后更名万，字东庄，书画署名湖帆，著名书画家、鉴藏家吴大澄之孙，苏州人。吴湖帆自幼受家庭薰陶，诗书画皆擅，无一不精，鉴藏宏富，为二十世纪中国画坛上的一位艺术巨匠。与溥濡被称为“南吴北溥”，又与吴子深、吴待秋、冯超然齐名，有“三吴一冯”之称。

吴湖帆的书法初学宋徽宗瘦金体，后得米芾《多景楼诗卷》墨迹，始专攻米芾，将二者融合，遗貌取神，得徽宗之雅逸、米之俊朗，自造新格，不同俗流。此联是他书风的典型面目，纸墨相发，心手双畅，书写极精。

释文：册编并列长兼短，玉佩相连一贯三。