Artwork Description

Title: Huai Su, Historic Person
Artist: Chen Tao
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 39.4 × 21.3 in (100 × 54 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This striking ink and color composition by Chen Tao depicts the Tang dynasty monk and calligrapher Huai Su (737–799), recognized for his dynamic and expressive cursive script. Rendered in a bold and gestural style, Huai Su appears mid-stride, holding a brush and candle, his intense gaze and sweeping garments conveying a sense of movement and fervor. The surrounding forms—rock, bamboo, and brushstrokes—reinforce the sense of spiritual urgency and intellectual energy often attributed to the historic figure.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Chen Tao masterfully blends traditional Chinese brush painting with a modern aesthetic sensibility. The ink washes and vigorous brush lines recall the literati tradition, while the large-scale figure and dramatic contrasts give the piece a contemporary vitality. The use of saturated black ink for the rock and bamboo offers a visual counterpoint to the softer contours and expressive facial detail of the figure.

3. Historical Context
Huai Su was a monk-calligrapher known for his wild cursive script (zhangcao), which embodied the unrestrained spirit of Tang dynasty art. Often portrayed in Chinese painting and literature, Huai Su symbolizes the synthesis of religious devotion, artistic innovation, and scholarly eccentricity. Chen Tao’s depiction draws from this iconography, emphasizing the monk’s emotional and creative force.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper shows faint creasing, likely from previous storage, but the overall structure and aesthetic presentation remain intact and stable.

6. Artistic Significance
Chen Tao, an established figure in the Chinese Asian Modern & Contemporary art scene, delivers a powerful homage to a historical icon. This work bridges classical subject matter with expressive modern technique, making it a compelling piece for collectors interested in the intersection of tradition and innovation in Chinese painting.