Poem on reclusion

Poem on reclusion

Zha Sheng

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Zha Sheng’s talents as a poet and calligrapher won him praise at the early Qing court, where he served as a scholar-official. This transcription of a poem by the famous Northern Song recluse Lin Bu (967–1028) extols the virtues of a simple life, but the message is somewhat at odds with the luxurious gold satin upon which the piece is written. The poem reads, in part: Bamboo and trees surround my dwelling, A clear stream provides more than enough excitement. At ease, a crane lingers a while by the water, Lazily, bees relax as flowers are few. —Translation after Shi-yee Liu

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Poem on reclusionPoem on reclusionPoem on reclusionPoem on reclusionPoem on reclusion

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.