Selected Passages from the Analects of Confucius

In 1935, with the threat of war looming over North China, the young sinologist Herrlee Creel prepared to return to the United States, completing three years of study in Beijing under the tutelage of some of the best minds in Republican China. In this scroll, Creel’s calligraphy teacher Zhang Jun praises his student’s scholastic ability, and in a short poem encourages him to continue his studies. While the identity of Zhang Jun remains unknown, Zhang’s classical training is apparent here in his use of scholarly language, classical references, and an orthodox, conservative style of calligraphy.

One interesting innovation is his use of a horizontal scroll format, which differs from traditional hand scrolls. While hand scrolls are viewed sequentially, that is, unrolled gradually on a table by a small intimate audience, horizontal scrolls such as this are wall-mounted works intended for viewing all at once.

The use of purple and gold-flecked paper is reminiscent more of a Japanese aesthetic than of the somber, monochromatic compositions typical of the Chinese literati. Its appearance here illustrates the close ties between Chinese and Japanese intellectuals and artists prior to World War II.