Hongli (Emperor Qianlong), Poems in Running Script

This set of four hanging scrolls showcases Emperor Qianlong's accomplished calligraphy in the running script style, executed with confident brushwork across gold dusted silk that creates a luxurious surface for the imperial compositions. The emperor's refined technique and scholarly pursuits are evident in the fluid, expressive strokes characteristic of his mature artistic practice during the Qing dynasty. As both a ruler and devoted patron of the arts, Qianlong's calligraphic works exemplify the literati tradition of combining poetry with skilled brushwork, a practice central to elite cultural identity in eighteenth century China.