Abstract
In this paper, the author studies a calligraphic work of Wang Tuo (1593-1652) which includes four poems written for the Jesuit Adam Schall von Bell (1592-1666). Judged from the life of Wang Tuo, this work is probably written during 1645-1647 in Beijing just after the surrender of Wang to the Manchu army. Wang Tuo's financial situation at the time is hard up. The reason that he presented this calligraphic work to Adam Schall is to try to obtain some economic support from this friend who has just become the director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. As a high-level official, Adam Schall become one of the leaders in the Han intellectual community who served both Ming and Ch'ing courts. Many of his colleagues wrote poems or articles to him as a medium of social contact. To them, the best known image of Adam Schall is a very knowledgeable official and scholar, but not a missionary to preach a foreign religion.