References

• 《四庫全書總目提要·卷172 集部·別集類二十五 明四》

Source: 《甫田集》 is a comprehensive literary work consisting of thirty-five volumes and an additional one-volume appendix titled "附錄" (Appendix). The work was authored by Wen Zhengming, a prominent figure in the Ming Dynasty. Wen Zhengming, initially named Wen Bi, later became known by his courtesy name Zhengming and later changed it to Zhengzhong. He was also known by his pseudonym Hengshan. Wen was a native of Changzhou and was recommended for a position as a待诏 (Imperial Scholar) in the Hanlin Academy through a tribute system. His biographical details are recorded in the "Literati Biography" section of the Ming History. The collection in《甫田集》 comprises fifteen volumes of poetry and twenty volumes of prose. The appendix, "行略" (Biographical Sketch), was written by his second son, Wen Jia. Wen Zhengming and Shen Zhou were both renowned for their calligraphy and painting, and they were also accomplished poets. Shen Zhou's poetry is characterized by its free and spontaneous style, reflecting his natural disposition, much like the shapes of clouds and the flow of water, which cannot be confined to rigid forms. In contrast, Wen Zhengming's poetry, while elegant and refined, often contains a touch of grace and ease. Zhuyizun in his work 《静志居诗话》 (Poetic Discourse from the Tranquil Aspiration Studio) records a statement by Wen Zhengming to He Liangjun: "In my youth, I learned poetry from Lu Fangweng, and thus my style is somewhat weak and low, not as elevated as the works of my contemporaries, who all follow the Tang style." This statement reflects his self-awareness and honesty about his poetic origins and aspirations. However, Shen Zhou's straightforward and open nature is mirrored in his paintings, which are bold and rugged, and his poetry follows a similar style. Wen Zhengming, on the other hand, was known for his refined and elegant character, which is reflected in his fine and graceful paintings and poetry. Zhuyizun, in his 《明诗综》 (Comprehensive Anthology of Ming Poetry), included fifteen of Wen Zhengming's poems. Notably, one of his poems titled "池上" (By the Pond) was discovered in a manuscript and is not included in the original collection. Zhuyizun also mentioned that many of Wen's works have been preserved outside the collection, but it is unfortunate that no one has compiled a supplementary volume to include these. However, given that many of the works attributed to Wen are of questionable authenticity, it is better to rely on his family collection to maintain the integrity of his original works. In summary, 《甫田集》 stands as a testament to Wen Zhengming's literary and artistic prowess, offering a rich collection of his poetry and prose, along with a biographical sketch by his son. ==References== * 《四庫全書總目提要·卷172 集部·別集類二十五 明四》