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

He Shaoji (1799–1873)
He Shaoji, courtesy name Zizhen, pseudonym Dongzhou, and in his later years known as Yuansou, was from Daozhou, Hunan (now Daoxian). He was a poet, Confucian scholar, calligrapher, and art connoisseur during the late Qing dynasty. In the 16th year of the Daoguang reign (1836), he passed the imperial examination. He was highly knowledgeable in Confucian classics, philology, and stone inscriptions, achieving significant success in calligraphy. He was a leading figure in the Stele School of calligraphy, with a profound influence on later generations. He authored works such as “Explanations of the Classics from the Study of Cherishing the Way,” “Poetry and Prose Collection of Dongzhou Thatched Cottage,” and “Corrections of Duan’s Annotations to Shuowen.”

He Shaoji’s running and cursive scripts were particularly distinguished. Initially, he studied Yan Zhenqing, and in middle age, he extensively studied the Wei stele and the calligraphy of Ouyang Tong, resulting in strong and graceful brushstrokes. Later, he devoted himself to clerical script, deeply researching the famous inscriptions of the Han and Wei dynasties, and produced numerous copies. This piece is from his middle period, before he reached the peak of his skill in his later years. The calligraphy style is broad and composed, with varied and deliberate strokes, fully demonstrating his innovative spirit of blending ancient and contemporary styles.

Translation of couplet: “The grand library holds the Dao, With a bright and clear heart, one cherishes talent.”

何绍基（1799—1873），字子贞，号东洲，晚号蝯叟，湖南道州（今道县）人。晚清诗人、经学家、书法家、鉴藏家。道光十六年（1836）进士。博通经史、小学及金石碑版，书法成就极高，是清末碑学开宗立派的大家，后世影响极大。著有《惜道味斋经说》《东洲草堂诗文钞》《说文段注驳正》等。

何氏行草书尤为一代之冠。初习颜，中年博习魏碑、欧阳通书，笔法刚健婀娜。后致力分隶，汉魏名刻，无不深研，临摹多至百本。此件作品属于他中年时期的作品，还未到晚年时的炉火纯青的境界。但书法体式宽博，点画沉着而又多姿，充分显示了他借古开今的创新精神。

释文：书城高大能藏道，心地光明始爱才。