Letter to Liang Zhongren

Shen Du

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Shen Du was one of Song Ke's (1327–1387) most important followers. He is best known for his precise regular script in the manner of Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322), whose style he helped to establish as the orthodox model for Ming government documents and even printed books. His more informal writing also follows Zhao's style; in both cases, however, Shen's calligraphy shows fewer variations and nuances of brush movement. This letter was once part of Emperor Qianlong's (r. 1736–95) collection. Preserved in rubbing form in the Sanxitang imperial anthology of 1747, such informal writings are valued by connoisseurs as intimate expressions of artists' personalities.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art