Pavilion of Pine Breeze [Chinese calligraphy]

Huang Tingjian (1045–1105 CE) was a leading poet, calligrapher, and scholar of the Northern Song Dynasty, and one of the “Four Masters of the Song.” He developed a highly distinctive calligraphic style known for its rhythmic tension, angular brushstrokes, and dynamic composition.

His famous work Songfeng Ge (Pavilion of Pine Breeze) is a poetic handscroll written in semi-cursive script (xingshu or running script). Composed during a visit to a mountain pavilion, the text reflects on nature, friendship, and exile, while the calligraphy showcases Huang’s mature style – characterized by elongated forms, deliberate spacing, and a sense of controlled spontaneity. The piece is admired both as literary and calligraphic art.