29.5 cm (vertical) × 31.5 cm (horizontal)

 

In the early summer of 1092, Mi Fu was appointed county magistrate of Yongqiu (modern-day Qixian, Henan), the highest official post he would hold in his lifetime. Scholars suggest that this letter was written shortly after his appointment and addressed to Li Chun (1059–1109, courtesy name Xisheng). The first half conveys greetings, while the latter half includes a seven-character quatrain reminiscing about their past time together.

 

In terms of calligraphy, the letter is composed in running and cursive scripts, showcasing a striking contrast in character size, spacing, stroke thickness, and ink shades. The dynamic contrasts create intense visual impact and draw attention. Individual characters, such as “非” (fei), “尺” (chi), “慶” (qing), and “還” (huan), display a wide range of variations in form. Phrases including “𡙇然比想” (que-ran-bi-xiang) and “槐後午陰” (huai-hou-wu-yin) are connected in an S-shaped flow, resembling the graceful movements of a maiden adorned with flowers and creating rhythmic energy throughout the composition. The brushstrokes are masterful and fluid, with the connecting strokes and fine lines projecting sharpness and confidence. Particularly, the characters “槐” (huai) and “陰” (yin) feature thick, full strokes combined with light and agile forms, demonstrating Mi Fu’s exceptional brush control and ability to craft elegant shapes. This piece is a remarkable display of his technical skills and artistic ingenuity.