WANG SHOUPANG (1875-1929)
Seven-character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script
A pair of hanging scrolls, ink on paper
Each scroll measures 135 x 32.5 cm. (53 ¹⁄₈ x 12 ³⁄₄ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dedicated to Shengfu
Further inscribed and signed by Lee Ao (1935-2018), with two seals

NOTE:
Wang Shoupang, also known as Ci Jian, is native to Weifang, Shandong Province. During the Guangxu period, he worked at Hanlin Yuan, and taught at Yi Xueguan. He accompanied Zaize, Ruifang, and three other ministers to Japan, where they observed the politics, education, and business. When Wang returned to China, he advocated for education and business reforms. Wang was well-known for his calligraphy; one would feel proud to even own a piece of paper with a word written by him.

Dr Kuo is a renowned ophthalmologist in Taiwan. He was born into a family of doctors in Chiayi, Taiwan. Dr Kuo also graduated from the Taipei Medical College and served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Taipei Renai Hospital. His father studied Chinese and specialised in calligraphy, influencing Kuo to take an interest in Chinese culture, history and art. While practising medicine, Kuo often learned at the National Palace Museum in Taipei and began collecting paintings and calligraphy by well-known artists and celebrities and ancient artefacts. Kuo managed to build an extensive private collection, which works from it was later passed down through the family.