Letter from Mi Fu to Master Bu’er

CHINA; Northern Song dynasty

This short letter from Mi Fu addressed to Chan Master Bu’er, describes a missed visit and other trivialities between friends. Predominantly appearing in running script, the calligraphy also features inclinations towards cursive style. The composition and character structure is not as varied or dense as Mi’s later works, but trails of strokes suggest swift and forceful movements. Additionally, there is a stark contrast between light and heavy brushstrokes, which demonstrate the artist’s sense of maturity and confidence. Fine details are shown through the articulate use of the brush tip, which offer a form of visual perplexity.
Mi Fu, a Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) calligrapher, was also known as Yuanzhang. Mi’s calligraphy was a culmination of past styles but with a unique charm, which has been highly admired by later generations.