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Description
Offered is a framed Chinese calligraphy artwork attributed to Yue Hongji (岳红记), a Chinese calligrapher, scholar, and academic associated with Chang’an University in Xi’an, China.
The work features a traditional Chinese calligraphic rendering of Spring Dawn (春晓), a celebrated poem by Tang Dynasty poet Meng Haoran (孟浩然). The artwork includes an artist’s inscription, red seals, and a handwritten date that appears to reference the Jiawu year, most likely 2014.
This piece was acquired at an estate sale in Scott City, Missouri, and remains in its frame with a contemporary newspaper article about Yue Hongji’s calligraphy and his activities in Southeast Missouri attached to the back.
FRAME is approximately 22\"x12\", visible art piece appears to be approximately 18.25\"x 8.75\". This has not been removed from the frame.
About the Artist
Yue Hongji, also known as Yue Hongji (岳弘骥), is a Chinese academic and practicing calligrapher. His professional background includes doctoral-level study in fine arts, research into Chinese calligraphy and art history, and membership in the Shaanxi Calligraphers Association and Shaanxi Artists Association.
He has authored scholarly publications on Chinese calligraphy, including research on the historical calligraphic traditions of the Northern Dynasties and the Guanzhong region.
From January 2015 through February 2016, Yue Hongji visited Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as a visiting scholar. During his time there, he presented an exhibition of his painting and calligraphy and delivered lectures introducing Chinese culture.
A contemporary newspaper article documenting his work and his Southeast Missouri activities accompanies this artwork. The article provides useful historical context, although it has not been established that this specific piece was included in his university exhibition.
The Poem: “Spring Dawn” (春晓)
The main composition appears to reproduce the famous four-line poem by Meng Haoran, a poet of China’s Tang Dynasty.
Original Chinese text:
English translation:
Spring Dawn
In spring, I sleep, unaware that dawn has come.
Everywhere, I hear the birds singing.
During the night came the sound of wind and rain.
I wonder how many flowers have fallen.
The poem reflects on the beauty and fragility of spring, capturing the quiet realization that a night of wind and rain may have scattered the blossoms.
Artist’s Inscription and Date
The handwritten inscription appears to read:
A tentative translation is:
“In the second month of spring of the Jiawu year, written by Yue Hongji.”
The Jiawu year most recently corresponds to 2014. The inscription, artist’s name, and red seals are important features for evaluating the work’s attribution.
Provenance and Documentation
- Acquired at an estate sale in Scott City, Missouri.
- Retains its frame and accompanying newspaper article about Yue Hongji.
- The article documents the artist’s connection to Southeast Missouri and his calligraphy activities.
- The artist’s academic background and visiting-scholar period are independently documented.
The exact chain of ownership before the estate sale is unknown, and no independent professional authentication has been obtained.
Condition and Presentation
The artwork is framed behind glass. Please examine all photographs carefully for details of the calligraphy, artist’s inscription, red seals, paper, frame, and accompanying newspaper article.
The newspaper clipping is included as historical documentation and has been retained with the piece as found.
Please review the photographs for condition details and contact me with any questions before purchasing.
Attribution Disclaimer
This artwork is offered as attributed to Yue Hongji (岳红记) based on its apparent inscription, seals, style, and accompanying historical documentation. It has not been independently authenticated by a Chinese art specialist or appraiser. The attribution, date, and relationship to any specific exhibition should therefore be considered provisional.
