Wang Duo

CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Ming to Qing dynasty (1368–1911

Wang Duo was a painter and calligrapher from Mengjin, Luoyang. He became an Imperial Scholar in 1662 and worked in the imperial government. He had profound knowledge and was an expert in poetry, literature, painting, and calligraphy. His calligraphy followed the styles of Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Zhong Yao, Mi Fu, and others, and he was skilled in various styles, especially running script. He was reputed as Magic Stroke Wang Duo. In painting, Wang portrayed natural landscapes, plants, bamboo, and rocks. Although influenced by Zong Xinghao and Guan Tong, he retained the personal characteristics of his unique style.
Masterpieces by Wang include such works as the painting of Temple in the Mountain, and the running script calligraphy of Writing Tang Poetry, both of which are kept at the Capital Museum in Beijing. Letter from Wang Duo to Master Dajue is kept at the Liaoning Museum in Shengyang. Other works in running script include Emeishan Travel Notes, Poetry of Wang Wei, and more which are kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing, and Five-Character Poem, kept at the Anhui Museum in Hefei. Poem About Stream at Bolin Temple in running script is kept at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan. In addition, Master Chuanyi of Pilu Temple in Jiangsu used Wang’s calligraphy as couplets on columns in the Thousand Buddha Hall.