“Cold Food Observance Manuscript” (寒食帖) by Su Shi: A Masterpiece of Cursive Anguish

---

Introduction: Tears on Paper

Why This Matters:
In 1082, exiled poet Su Shi created what’s now called “China’s third greatest cursive script“ – not with perfect brushstrokes, but with wine-stained paper and shaky handwriting. This is art born from political persecution.

Key Terms:

• Cold Food Festival: Ancient Chinese holiday (no cooking, only cold meals)
• Huangzhou Exile: Su Shi‘s 4-year banishment after false accusations

I. The Manuscript as a Time Machine

Physical Details That Speak

Feature	Significance	Modern Equivalent
Patchy Paper	Made from hemp – coarse and uneven	Like writing on crumpled notebook paper
Wine Stains	Infrared scans show alcohol in ink	Whiskey spilled on a legal document
Changed Words	“Cry” scribbled over into “Bitter”	Editing a tweet to sound less emotional

Interactive Element:
[Before/After Slider] Compare clean calligraphy vs. Su Shi‘s distressed strokes

---

II. Decoding the Brushstrokes

A. Su Shi’s Handwriting Analysis

1. Tight Clusters → Panic attacks
   • Characters jammed together like subway riders in rain
2. Flying White (Dry Brush) → Running out of ink (and hope)
   • Like a pen dying mid-sentence

B. The 3 Emotional Sections of Cold Food Observance Manuscript

1. Opening: Steady strokes – “I came to Huangzhou…” (pretending to be fine)
2. Middle: Ink splatters – “Cold food, cold vegetables…” (hunger pains)
3. End: Faint traces – “Deep gates of the emperor…” (exhausted resignation)

---

III. Why Art Historians Obsess Over This

1. The “Imperfect” Revolution

• Broke calligraphy rules:
  ✅ Traditional: Balanced spacing
  ❌ Su Shi: Words crashing into each other like drunk friends

2. The Hidden Su Shi‘s Self-Portrait

• “Broken Stove” character:
  • Top part collapsing → His ruined career
  • Bottom strokes thrusting upward → Defiant creativity

---