Genre

Calligraphy & Inscription

北宋   徽宗   竹禽圖   卷|Finches and bamboo, Emperor Huizong

In the East Asian tradition the written character is itself the picture. Brush-drawn calligraphy carries the movement of the hand as visibly as any landscape, and the inscription on a scroll, a poem or a colophon, is read as part of the composition, not a label beside it.

Key artists

Works

Every work in this catalog is in the public domain; images come from the museums that hold them. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

What is Calligraphy & Inscription?

Calligraphy & Inscription is a motif in painting. In the East Asian tradition the written character is itself the picture.

How many Calligraphy & Inscription works does Artifact World Gallery have?

Artifact World Gallery holds 268 public-domain Calligraphy & Inscription works, all free to view and download.

Who are the key Calligraphy & Inscription artists?

Key Calligraphy & Inscription artists in the collection include Emperor Huizong, Fūgai Ekun and Gao Fenghan.