The Timeless Interconnection of Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting
# The Integration of Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting: Examining East Asian Aesthetic Traditions Through Exhibitions at The Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is a fusion of history, culture, and artistic expression, where the legacies of diverse traditions converge under one roof. Two ongoing exhibitions, *The Great Hall Commission: Tong Yang-Tze, Dialogue* and *The Three Perfections: Japanese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting from the Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection*, exemplify the harmonious blend of literature, visual art, and design that defines traditional East Asian aesthetics. These shows not only highlight the interplay of art forms but also bring centuries-old traditions into vivid dialogue with contemporary audiences.
## Tong Yang-Tze: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Expression
In the museum’s Great Hall, Taiwanese artist Tong Yang-Tze has elevated traditional calligraphy to monumental proportions. Her work bridges the boundaries between poetry, philosophy, and visual art through multi-layered calligraphic pieces that celebrate Chinese literary heritage. Intriguingly, her works play with the dynamic tension between form and meaning.
One of the primary works in this exhibition, *Go where it is right, stop when one must* (*行於其所當行，止於其不得不止*), embodies a sense of thoughtful deliberation and personal introspection. The piece incorporates the dual representation of the Chinese character for “move forward” (*行*), first in a bold, legible form and then in an abstracted, ethereal rendering. This duality invites viewers to consider the interplay of determination and flexibility in their own lives. Inspired by the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi, Tong’s work offers timeless guidance for navigating the complexities of creative and personal growth.
Another masterpiece, *Stones from other mountains can refine our jade* (*他山之石可以攻玉*), draws from the *Shijing* (*Book of Odes*, circa 9th century BCE), emphasizing the importance of learning from the talents and perspectives of others. Here, Tong employs a mix of regular and semi-cursive script to marry clarity with fluidity. This deliberate blending of styles mirrors the ancient poem’s themes, highlighting collaboration and the integration of external influences to achieve personal refinement.
### Beyond Calligraphy: Merging the Historical and the Contemporary
Tong’s solo exhibition, *Dialogue*, takes its place alongside the museum’s concurrent presentation, *The Three Perfections*. Together, these exhibitions underscore how poetry, calligraphy, and painting — referred to as the “three perfections” in East Asian art traditions — function as interconnected disciplines. This approach fosters a multidimensional exploration of textual and visual storytelling.
## The Three Perfections: The Art of Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting
Curated by John Carpenter and Monika Bincsik, *The Three Perfections* assembles over 160 works of Japanese art, focusing on the seamless interplay among poetry, calligraphy, and painting. These art forms often appear together in East Asian tradition, reflecting refined intellectual pursuits and societal values.
### *The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals*
One remarkable piece is *The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals*, a pair of six-panel folding screens created by artists in the Studio of Kano Takanobu with calligraphy by Konoe Nobutada. Painted during Japan’s Momoyama period (late 16th–early 17th century), this work celebrates courtly poets lauded for their literary prowess. Although only five women are included in this pantheon, their representation highlights a moment of literary acknowledgment during a deeply patriarchal era.
One waka poem featured in this work, written by Ki no Tsurayuki, poetically compares cherry blossoms to snow flurries that fall to earth. The connection between nature, transient beauty, and cultural traditions captures the enduring charm of classical Japanese poetry.
### Stories Told in Paint and Script
Another standout from the show is *Scenes and Calligraphic Excerpts from The Tale of Genji*, a masterpiece integrating literary excerpts with vibrant paintings. Rooted in one of Japan’s oldest and most beloved literary works, *The Tale of Genji* by Murasaki Shikibu (11th century), the screens use poetic calligraphy inscribed on textured, gold-speckled paper to complement depictions of ornate court life and natural landscapes. Produced by the Tosa School during the 14th century, the screens represent an ideal marriage of textual narrative and visual art.
These pieces speak to the role of calligraphy as a bridge between literature and painting, offering both textual and aesthetic pleasures. They remind us that art’s power lies not just in what it depicts but also in how it communicates.
## Historical Threads Woven into Contemporary Life
Perhaps among the most universally resonant works in these exhibitions is Itō Ryūgai’s *Handscroll of Tyrannical Government* (1920), which explores an ancient Chinese proverb: “A