In this artwork, how is the The calligraphy discussed?
According to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, some of the Chinese writing on this carving translates to this:This lump of jade from Khotan was large, it was carved to illustrate a gathering at the Spring Purification Festival. Elders and youth alike congregated at this literary meeting, it was in the Yonghe reign, and the final month of spring. Often the calligraphy [of Lanting Xu] is scrutinized over its authenticity, I enjoy the genuineness of the picture of jade. One cannot help but ask, among those depicted in the scene, who is worthy of the name ‘jade being’?
This text was written by the Qianlong Emperor, who chose a jade carving because China was seen as old and hard as jade, as well as strong and powerful. The poem on this sculpture was published not just on the carving but also in a collection of poems and essays. The emperor was happy to see the symbolism of the jade carving, done in part to celebrate his 80th birthday. The jade carving could have been seen as a statement that the emperor’s reign was almost immortal.  Something unique to Chinese art is that an art work often includes text that explains its significance. This is written in semi-cursive script. The jade carvings script explains that Jade Mountain depicts a scene from the city of Shaoxing.
Jade Minneapolis Institute of Art Qianlong jade poem Qianlong Emperor Spring Purification Festival China