Li Bai's Hard Road Ink Scroll

A traditional Chinese ink wash hanging-scroll painting on warm aged rice paper, vertical composition, with six large vertical columns of bold black brush-calligraphy occupying the upper and right half of the image. The calligraphy should be highly legible expressive Chinese cursive-regular script with varied ink density and natural brush taper, reading from right to left in 6 columns: "Golden goblets of fine wine cost ten thousand coins each, jade plates of rare delicacies worth ten thousand coins," Setting down the cup and chopsticks, unable to eat; drawing my sword, I look around, my heart confused.' 'I wish to cross the Yellow River, but the ice blocks the stream; I am about to climb the Taihang Mountains, snow covers the mountains.' 'Leisurely, I fish by the clear creek, suddenly I board a boat and dream of the sun.' 'The road ahead is hard, the road is hard, so many forks—where are I now?' 'There will be a time when the long wind breaks the waves, and I will hoist my cloud-like sail to cross the vast sea.' Add one smaller vertical inscription on the left side reading "李白行路難" with a small red seal stamp beneath it. In the lower left foreground, depict an ancient Chinese scholar-poet in flowing white and pale gray robes with a blue sash, long black hair in a traditional topknot with loose strands and ribbon, standing on the edge of a dark rocky cliff, body angled right and head lifted upward in a contemplative, heroic pose. Below and across the lower half, paint a turbulent river or sea with white crashing waves in monochrome ink and soft gray washes; in the distance, faint misty mountains and fog dissolve into the paper. Classical literati painting style, dynamic calligraphy as the main focus, poetic and majestic mood, restrained palette of black ink, gray wash, off-white paper, and a small touch of muted blue on the robe, ample negative space, museum-quality Chinese shanshui and calligraphy fusion.