Heart Sutra

CHINA; Ming dynasty

This 30-line manuscript was handwritten by Wen Zhengming at the age of 71. Wen was a scholar-official and a devout Buddhist. He enjoyed copying sutras in his later years, and his calligraphy was highly regarded during his time. The Heart Sutra is the essence of the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra, which expounds the fundamentals of wisdom and the emptiness of all phenomena.
The brushwork is refined yet forceful with the use of steep, sharp strokes. The execution was fluent and smooth, and the character structure elegant and full of variety. Despite a strikingly expressive appearance, the text is not domineering in tone. The piece is regarded as one of Wen’s best later works.
Originally named Wen Bi and nicknamed Zhengzhong, Wen Zhengming was a Ming dynasty (1368–1644) calligrapher and painter from Changzhou (present day Suzhou, Jiangsu). He was also skilled in poetry and writing. Regarded alongside Zhu Yunming, Tang Yin, and Xu Zhenqing as one of the Four Elite Scholars of the Wuzhong, Wen was fond of copying sutra manuscripts and had a particular interest in the small regular script. He referred to himself as a Buddhist disciple, and took delight in making friends with eminent Chan monks. His works of calligraphy and painting often exuded an expansive worldview that is rooted in Chan teachings.