Five-Character Verse in Running script (Translation)
五言詩句對聯 清 翁同龢 紙本 (Primary Title)
Weng Tonghe, Chinese, 1830 - 1904 (Artist)
A scholar and a calligrapher, Weng Tonghe served at the Imperial Academy as a tutor to Emperor Tongzhi (r. 1861–75) and Emperor Guangxu (r. 1875–1908). Weng’s career took a dramatic turn in 1898 when he was removed from his government post because of his pro-reform stance and subsequently sent home to Changsu, Jiangsu Province. This calligraphic couplet was most likely written thereafter. This Song dynasty verse by Lu You (1125-1210) was transcribed by Weng to describe the leisure and joy of retirement:
On chilly days in early spring, to brew homemade wine;
On dripping days in the rain, to plant flowers.
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