In the late Tang Dynasty, with the decline of Yan Zhenqing and other famous artists, calligraphers became increasingly lonely. The most famous figure in this period was Liu Gongquan, who was called "Yan Gu" together with Yan Zhenqing.
Liu Gongquan (778 -865) was born in Jingzhao Garden (now Yaozhou District, Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province). Brother of Liu Gongchuo, minister of the Ministry of War. Liu Gongquan became a scholar at the age of twenty-nine. In his early years, he served as secretary of provincial studies and was incorporated into the Li Ting shogunate. In Mu Zong, Jing Zong and Wenzong Dynasty, he served in the official residence and grew up in North Korea. * * * During the Seven Dynasties, the official was the Prince, and he was named the Duke of Hedong County, and the official was the Prince Taibao, so it was called "Liu". In the sixth year of Xian Tong (865), Liu Gongquan died at the age of 88 and was posthumously given to the Prince.
Liu Gongquan is an upright man, and he had a "pen admonition" at the beginning of his career.
On one occasion, literate Sect convened six bachelors in the temporary hall. Speaking of Wendi's frugality, Wenzong raised his sleeves and said, "This dress has been washed three times." Literati all praised the thrifty character of Literati. Only Liu Gongquan was silent. Literati left him and asked him why he didn't speak. Liu Gongquan replied: "You mainly attach importance to the use of talents, exclude those dishonest courtiers, listen to exhortation, and observe rewards and punishments. As for wearing washed clothes, it's just a trivial matter. " Wenzong said to him, "I know you shouldn't be an remonstrator, but because you have the demeanor of an remonstrator, let you be an remonstrator." The next day, the law stipulated that he should be a doctor with advice and knowledge, but he was still a bachelor. Write a letter.
In the third year of Kaicheng (838), Wenzong once called Liu Gongquan for questioning and asked him, "What are we discussing outside?" Liu Gongquan replied: "Since Guo Lian was appointed as our special envoy in Yongning, people have been talking about it one after another, some say it is good, and some say it is not good." Wenzong said: "Guo Lian is the nephew of my late father (Guo Ziyi) and the uncle of Empress Dowager Tai (Empress Yi 'anguo), and there is no fault in his work. "What were you talking about when you were promoted from general Jin Wu to small ambassador in Fujian and Ningxia?" Liu Gongquan said: "With Guo Lian's merits and virtues, it is appropriate to be appointed as our special envoy." It is said that Guo Lian was promoted because he gave his two daughters to the palace. Is it true?/You don't say. "Literati said," his two daughters came to visit the queen mother in the palace, not to offer their daughters. Liu Gongquan said, "As the saying goes, Li doesn't wear a crown unless he picks up his shoes." . If there is no suspicion, why did this matter get news? Wang Jue persuaded Taizong to send Princess Lu Jiang out of the palace as an example. "。 The literati immediately sent Zhang Rihua, the internal envoy, to send the two women back to Guo Lian's house.
At that time, Liu Gongquan's calligraphy was the best in the calligraphy field. "Old Tang Book" called it "attractive, claiming to be a family". His calligraphy comes from the Liu family, and he learns from his brother Liu Zongyuan.
His calligraphy is in and out of Yan Zhenqing, which combines the vigor of European style, the harmony of dangerous style and the elegance of Chu style, and takes its essence, which is more dangerous and unique.
Liu Gongquan's famous calligraphy works include Mysterious Pagoda Monument, Shence Army Monument, Diamond Sutra, and Hui Yuan's View on the Building.
The Diamond Sutra is the representative work of Liu Gongquan in his prime, with great strength and charm, and commensurate bones and muscles. The extant rubbings of the Tang Dynasty were found in the Tibetan Sutra Cave in Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes.
Hui Yuan Guan Zhong Lou Ming, with harsh and vigorous calligraphy, angular and exposed bones and muscles, is superior to other works.
The stone tablet of the mysterious pagoda is the most precious and famous work of Liu Gongquan. Because bones and muscles are the most exposed, it is easy to fall into the problem of rigidity if you don't study well.
The inscription of Shence Army no longer exists, and the existing rubbings are kept in Beijing Library. This tablet is Liu Gongquan's favorite pen in his later years, and it is even more pleasing than the mysterious pagoda tablet.
Today, the first choice for people to learn calligraphy is still Yan, Liu, Ou, Chu, Yu and other calligraphers in the Tang Dynasty, especially a set of regular script norms founded by Liu Gongquan, which is still an example for people to learn. Liu Gongquan made outstanding contributions to the reform and development of calligraphy art, summed up the development of calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty, and laid the foundation for the overall development of regular script.
Next: Extraterritorial Communication of Calligraphy in Tang Dynasty