تفاصيل
CollectionLee Kong Chian Collection
رقم الكائنNU12014-0
العنوانPoem to Express Birthday Wishes in Running-regular script 行楷书五律祝寿诗
الوصفThe scroll was a gift by Zheng Xiaoxu for Mr Jidao on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. "Jidao" is a sobriquet of Yan Fu (1853 - 1929), one of the most influential philosophers of modern China. Yan was a native of Minhou, Fujian Province. He went to England for further studies at age of 23. After returning to China, he taught at the Tianjin Naval School for some twenty years. In 1898, Emperor Guangxu summoned Yan for his opinions about reforms, a modern naval fleet and new schools.
In the early 20th century, Yan became the chief editor of an academic journal, through which he commented on government policies and advocated modern studies. He also became the principal of Fudan Public School and the Chancellor of Beijing University. But it was his translation of the Theory of Evolution and seven other philosophical and social classics that earned him fame. Through these works, he contributed significantly to the academia and left an indelible mark in modern Chinese history.
This calligraphy was completed in 1912, an eventful period in China's history. The Republic of China was formed after the abdication of the Qing emperor. However, Sun Yat Sen (1866 - 1925), the first president of the Republic, was forced to resign in 1912 and transfer power to General Yuan Shikai (1859 - 1916). Yuan abolished the Republic and made himself emperor, abruptly ending the 1911 Revolution.
Against this volatile backdrop, Zheng began his composition by lamenting that "even with excellent credentials in academia and moral standing, it is futile to overcome evil with righteousness. It would take much more to reserve the tide than just by burning Laozi's teachings. What is the use of having Lu Yang's dagger-axe*?" He then referred to Yan's case for abandoning stifling traditional scholarship and developing independent thinking. He also mentioned that Yan's Theory of Evolution had gained a wide readership.
The third paragraph describes Yan's appearance - "You are the son of the Four Seas. Alas, overwork has caused your sideburns to prematurely turn white. How haggard you look!" In the final verses, Zheng lamented his inability to help Yan - "All I could do is sigh heavily while clutching my walking stick, and toast you silently. If Heaven still treasures you, then I pray that you be allowed to live longer and serve as an inspiring beacon for China."
*The legendary Lu Yang prevented defeat at a battle with the state of Han by wielding his dagger-axe with such great power that even the sun retreated ninety ‘li’.
书文为几道先生六十寿而作。“几道”即严复(1853-1921),福建闽侯人,二十三岁被派往英国留学,归国后执教天津水师学堂达二十年。光绪帝曾于1898年召见严复,询问办理海军、开设学堂及变法之事;二十世纪初期主编学报,议论朝政,提倡新学,曾任复旦公学及北京大学校长;以译著《天演论》等八部哲学社会典籍盛名,对学术界贡献至大。
此幅所作之1912年,正是中国旧王朝清帝退位,中华民国刚成立,孙中山(1866-1925)被迫解职之时,袁世凯(1859-1916)为第二任临时大总统,辛亥革命(1911-1912)逐告失败。处在这样的社会背景,书者开首便评论道:任凭学德独树一帜,以正理胜邪却结果徒然;欲焚老子学说,真枉执了“鲁阳戈*”。接着作者抒发:应贬斥旧学,各持己见;先生之《天演论》,今已传播过眼。第三段描绘寿星严复的形象:你是四海之子,年未老却白发满鬓,皆因勤著述疲堪惫,衰老近龙钟。最后作者感叹道:唯有长叹一声依扶杖,不用言语且举殇。若上苍有爱同珍视,请留严老为神州放异光。
*鲁阳戈:传古代鲁阳公与韩国打仗直到天黑,鲁阳公再一挥戈,将太阳退回九十里。后多喻“力挽危局”。
Artwork text:
释文。
曾谓狂将圣,虚凭道胜魔。欲焚尼父笔,枉执鲁阳戈。旧学真须贬,吾侪各已皤。平生天演论,今日眼中过。四海子严子,年未满鬓霜。等身疲著述,垂老迫兴亡。太息惟扶杖,何言且举觞。彼仓如有爱,留汝作灵光。
几道先生六十岁生日岁在玄黓,困敦涂月。郑孝胥
التاريخ 1912
صنف القطعةCalligraphy
مادةInk on Paper, Ink, Paper
الأبعاد
Height: 168 cm
Length: 36.4 cm
Height: 211 cm
Length: 45 cm
Length: 36.4 cm
Height: 211 cm
Length: 45 cm

