“Drinking Alone Under the Moon” — Hard-Pen Calligraphy by Tan Cheng, Age 15

Description :

This hard-pen calligraphy work by Tan Cheng, a 15-year-old calligrapher from Beijing, features the beloved Tang dynasty poem “Drinking Alone Under the Moon” by Li Bai. In this poetic piece, Li Bai imagines drinking alone, accompanied only by the moon and his shadow — reflecting both solitude and cosmic companionship.

Tan’s regular script is confident and measured, demonstrating a solid foundation and a reflective engagement with the spirit of the text. The poem’s whimsical sadness and transcendental tone are expressed with clarity and restraint.

“Among the flowers with a jug of wine,
I drink alone beneath the shining moon.
Raising my cup, I invite the moon,
Then my shadow — now we are three.”
(Excerpt translation)

Poem Title:
《月下独酌》 Drinking Alone Under the Moon
By Li Bai (李白), Tang Dynasty

Calligraphy Style:
Hard-Pen

Dimensions:
21 × 29.7 cm
(8 1/4 × 11 7/10 in)

About the Artist:

• Tan Cheng, Male, Age 15

• Member of the Children’s Division of the China Hard-Pen Calligraphy Association

• Student at Jingya Moyuan Calligraphy Studio, Beijing

• Silver Prize, 7th National Youth Calligraphy & Hard-Pen Writing Finals (Standard Characters)

His work reflects growing maturity, with excellent spatial control and poetic sensibility.