Late 18th - early 19th century

Calligraphy

Each panel of this Korean screen features a poem written in Chinese, brushed in the very free "grass" style of calligraphy. The poems are known as the "Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers," after the two famous tributaries that flow into one of China's largest lakes, West Lake. This body of water has been celebrated in poetry and painting since China's Song dynasty (960-1279).

The titles of the poems are (translated): "Clearing after a Storm in the Mountain Village," "Evening Bell from the Distant Temple," "Returning Sails on the Distant Bay," "Night Rain at Xiao and Xiang," "Evening Glow over the Fishing Village," "Autumn Moon over West Lake," "Wild Geese Landing on a Sandbar," and "Evening Snow on the River."