Rubbing of a Calligraphy Couplet by Dong Qichang

This is a rubbing of a calligraphy couplet in running script by Dong Qichang, the great calligrapher and painter of the Ming Dynasty. The original couplet is a classic phrase for a scholar's study:
Upper scroll: Grinding ink to test a newly granted imperial inkstone
Lower scroll: Burning incense to read the old classics handed down through generations
The couplet evokes an elegant, scholarly mood: the upper line depicts testing ink on a newly received imperial inkstone, while the lower line describes reading ancient classics by incense light, painting the ideal life of a traditional Chinese scholar.
The rubbing fully preserves the essence of Dong Qichang's running script: the brushwork is fluid and round, the character structure is open and elegant, and the ink tones reflect the gentle, refined temperament of the "Huating School". Dong advocated "valuing subtlety and lightness" in calligraphy, and this couplet perfectly embodies the unstrained, understated, and scholarly atmosphere of his style.
The rubbing bears the signature "Huating Dong Qichang" and his seal, making it a fine example of surviving rubbings of his work. It vividly reflects the spiritual life of Ming Dynasty literati and serves as an important reference for the study of Dong Qichang's calligraphy art.