Is this artwork authentic?

Yes. Every artwork sold by Kiln & Ink comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Zhang Daqian. We guarantee the authenticity of every piece we sell, with a full refund if any claim is upheld within 12 months of purchase.

Can I return this artwork?

We accept returns within 14 days of delivery for items in original, undamaged condition with all original packaging and certificates included. Auction purchases and custom commissions are non-returnable.

How is this artwork shipped?

All artworks are professionally packed using museum-grade materials and fully insured for their declared value during transit. We ship worldwide. International shipments may be subject to import duties in your country.

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Printmaking

Calligraphy Couplet

Name: Calligraphy Couplet
Brand: Zhang Daqian
SKU: zhang-daqian-calligraphy-couplet
Price: 999 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

by Zhang Daqian · Neijiang, Sichuan

$999

$1,299

In stock

MaterialInk on xuan paper, mounted on silkscroll

Dimensions105 x 20 cm

Year1940

EditionUnique work

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Authenticity Guaranteed

Artist-estate Certificate of Authenticity, hand-numbered in pencil at the point of pulling.

Lifetime Provenance Support

Free written provenance confirmation on request — for resale, insurance, donation, or independent appraisal, in perpetuity.

Worldwide Express Shipping

Free over $500. Acid-free archival tissue, rigid tube, fully insured.

14-Day Returns

Easy returns on undamaged works in original packaging.

The Story

This couplet, written in Zhang Daqian’s mature running script style, is a personal meditation on the creative process. The lines “To compose spring verses, my words are still unsettled; Heaven grants fine lines by the carved rail” capture the familiar feeling of grappling with a poem, only to find inspiration unexpectedly. Zhang Daqian was not only a master painter but also a highly accomplished calligrapher, deeply influenced by the brushwork of ancient scholars. In this work, his brushstrokes are fluid yet controlled, with each character balanced and full of life. The calligraphy itself is a mirror of his artistic personality: elegant, confident, and deeply connected to the poetic tradition. For Zhang, calligraphy and poetry were inseparable from his painting practice. This couplet is a quiet, intimate piece, reflecting the inner world of a lifelong artist. It shows his belief that creativity is both a struggle and a gift, shaped by years of dedication and a deep love for Chinese literary tradition.

Craft & Process

Created in expressive running script, the calligraphy blends elegant brushwork with poetic meaning, embodying the literati ideal of harmony between writing, art, and personal expression.

About the Artist

Zhang Daqian

Neijiang, Sichuan

Zhang Daqian (1899–1983): master copyist turned modernist, inventor of the splashed-ink and splashed-colour style that redefined 20th-century Chinese landscape painting.

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Collector Reviews

5.0· 1 review

Verified buyer

Lovely first piece, framing tip

“This was my first investment in a serious work and I was nervous about buying online sight-unseen. The advisory call before purchase put me at ease — they walked me through the edition and the provenance card. The ink work is gorgeous in person. One note for future buyers: the reds read slightly warmer in daylight than they do in the product photo, which I actually prefer, but worth knowing if you're matching a room. Now picking out frames.”

Mei-Ling C. · Singapore · Mar 2026