Zhao Lin, courtesy name Yanzheng, was the grandson of Zhao Mengfu and the second son of Zhao Yong. Regarding Zhao Lin's life, there are very few records in documents since the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Only some records of Zhao Yong mentioned that he was the "second son of Yong". , Juzhou magistrate and other positions were undoubtedly lower-level officials in the Yuan Dynasty. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhao Lin and his family lived in seclusion in Jiangsu and Zhejiang to avoid war, and did not serve in official positions in the Ming Dynasty. There is no record of his birth and death in the literature, but he lived roughly at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. His birth year can be calculated based on the age of his father Zhao Yong. Zhao Yong lived roughly between 1290 and 1360, and Zhao Lin was the second son of Yong. According to his inscription in the "Three Generations of People and Horses" volume, by Zhengjihai (1359) he had become "the official responsible for Jiangsu and Zhejiang." "Xing Zhongshu wrote to the Provincial Inspector", indicating that Zhao Lin should be an official at this time and should be over thirty or forty years old, so his birth year should be no later than around 1320. The year of his death can only be roughly inferred based on the inscriptions on his paintings by later generations. The poem "Iron Coral" recorded by Wu Heng and Zhao Lin's scroll says: "I have traveled far away and have not returned yet, and the birds are scattered in the empty garden. Isn't the orchid bad? It is difficult to protect it in the late festival. Once the national fragrance is scattered, the fragrant grass is everywhere in the world. . Draped with pictures and longing for them, the sad wind echoed in the forest." From the poem, Wu Heng's longing for Zhao Lin is revealed. It can be inferred that Zhao Lin was already a deceased person at this time, and this postscript was written in "Hongwu "In ten years, the first month of spring comes to Huan", so the year of Zhao Lin's death should not be later than the eleventh year of Hongwu (1378). In addition, Ni Zan said in the poem inscribed on Zhao Lin's painting: "Wenmin Gongsun is Qingqing and virtuous, Tao Hongchuying celebrates the New Year. The son has also become a wormwood by fate, sitting in front of the gull wave and feeling lost." It is also a reflection of Zhao Lin's later life. description of. The name "Tao Hongchuying" mentioned in the poem comes from Han Yu's personification of the four treasures of the study in the Tang Dynasty. Mao Ying refers to the brush, Chen Xuan refers to the ink, Tao Hong refers to the inkstone, and Mr. Chu's photographic paper. This refers to Zhao Lin's calligraphy and painting creation in his later years. . The sentence "A child becomes a minnow by his destiny" is worth pondering. Ziyou is the name of Su Che. Su Che is the younger brother of Su Shi, a famous essayist in the Northern Song Dynasty and one of the eight great writers in the Tang and Song Dynasties. According to the "History of the Song Dynasty: Biography of Su Che", in the first year of Jiayou's reign, Su Che came to Bianjing with his father and brother. He was highly appreciated by Ouyang Xiu, the leader of the literary world at that time. The following year, he and Su Shi were admitted to the Jinshi examination, and became famous in the capital. After Su Che embarked on his official career, he showed outstanding political talents in dealing with Wang Anshi's New Deal and other matters. However, he was later demoted repeatedly because of his involvement in his brother's "Wutai Poetry Case" and his disobedience to Yuanfeng ministers. In his later years, he was demoted. He built a house and settled in Xuzhou (now Xuchang, Henan Province), and named himself Yingbin Yilao. "I will no longer meet others. I will sit in silence all day long, and this will last for decades." "Jinggong" is a permanent food in ancient funerals and sacrificial ceremonies. "Book of Rites Tan Gong" has Confucius crying over the death of Zilu and unable to bear to eat the rice. records. Therefore, Ni Zan used Su Che to describe Zhao Lin's loneliness and death in his later years, and from this he sighed "sitting in front of the waves of gulls and feeling lost". According to Ni Zan's death in 1374, and this poem was written after Zhao Lin's death, Zhao Lin's death year should be earlier than 1374.
Regarding Zhao Lin's artistic evaluation, there are few records from later generations. According to records in "Hui Yao of Calligraphy and History" and "Hui Yao of Painting History", it is said that he studied painting more diligently than his brother (Zhao Feng) and achieved greater achievements than his brother. Zhao Lin was good at painting people, horses, and landscapes. His composition, techniques, pen and ink, etc. were deeply passed down from his family. His calligraphy also inherited the character of Zhao. It can be said that both calligraphy and painting can be said to be the domain of his ancestors and fathers. The evaluation of his works by later generations is also concentrated on this. aspect. For example, on the scroll of Zhao Lin's "Landscape Painting", Wu Heng wrote: "The old moss of pines nourishes the crane paths, and the empty rocks in the stream hide the fishing boats. The water is thousands of miles away, and the three generations of Yutang are romantic." Another example is the volume of "Pictures of People and Horses of the Three Generations of the Zhao Family" by Shen Danian. The postscript says: "Wu Xing Zhao Gong paid great attention to the previous generation in his writings and political affairs, and he used his remaining energy to adapt to the calligraphy and ink. Therefore, the work of calligraphy and painting touched the wonderful world, and his descendants can also inherit his ambition." From the above-mentioned inscription, we can know It can be seen that Zhao Lin was deeply influenced by his father Zhao Yong and his ancestor Zhao Mengfu in inheriting the family tradition. From the perspective of the brush and ink characteristics and creative themes of his calligraphy and painting works, Zhao Lin directly inherited more of Zhao Yong art style.
"Heng Tang Tie" page, Yuan Dynasty, Zhao Lin calligraphy, paper, vertical 28.2cm, horizontal 25.2cm, running script.
Explanation:
This morning I planned to make a special project, but the deacon said last night that Brother Dayin came to the house, so it didn't work. I just waited for the boat to come from there. Otherwise, if you dare to sit back and wait, you will be punished quickly. Fu Xiqing does not exist. Zhao Lin paid his respects. Mr. Hengtang Zhengjun. Mr. Hengtang. Zhao Lin is finished.
This painting is stamped with 16 seals including "Chapter of Calligraphy and Painting of An Qiyi Zhou", "Wu Jing", "Collection Notes of Hemengxuan Collection of Qiao Li Family", and "Jing Xian".
Zhao Mengfu's famous calligraphy has lasted for generations. Although his grandson Zhao Lin is not well-known, his calligraphy and writing are all within the rules, and his writing style is flowing, free and elegant, without losing the family tradition. As Tao Zongyi of the Ming Dynasty said in "Book History Meeting": "If Lin Shu is more skilled in craftsmanship, he can create the domain of his father."
