Spring Mountains, Calligraphy, Paintings, Green Willows, Boat

CHINA; Ming to Qing dynasty

This seal is comprised of seven characters, spread across three columns. A portion of each character was strategically set along the edge of the seal, such that the border has much variety and interest in its resulting fragmentation; this feature expresses the artist’s creativity and keen eye for detail. As if a blunt knife was used, the cutting technique appears sturdy and deep. The seal inscription itself is simple and tranquil, and the form is subtle yet elegant.
Wan Shouqi was a monk and artist with a Dharma name of Huishou and an alias of Nianshao. He was skilled in the areas of poetry, painting, and in particular, seal engraving. The famed poet Zhou Lianggong eulogized Wan in Memoirs of Seal Engravers by stating, “One immediately obtains the full essence of Wan’s seals. The various verses engraved into jade and alabaster were specifically chosen by him to form a superb layout. This trait is not often found in others.”