Taizong of the Tang Dynasty spared no effort in promoting calligraphy, thus creating a flourishing period of calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was one of the most famous emperors in Chinese history. During his reign, he was honest in government and knew people well. As a result, the country was prosperous and the people's livelihood was prosperous.
Taizong of the Tang Dynasty is famous in history as an outstanding politician, military strategist and wise monarch. What is less known is that he also loved art and was proficient in art, and was an accomplished calligrapher. .
Taizong of the Tang Dynasty once learned calligraphy from Yu Shinan. During his reign, he widely collected and copied the famous calligraphers, and classified and bound more than 300 authentic works into 150 volumes. He would take out the copies and enjoy them during his spare time. .
The famous calligraphy works circulated include "Jinci Inscription" and "Hot Spring Inscription". The former's writing is vigorous and boundless, while the latter's vigorous and fluid. Both of them are very much in line with Youjun's legacy. In addition, the words exude a heroic and imperial demeanor. The two works rank equally among everyone.
Tang Taizong’s influence on the history of Chinese calligraphy was not only due to his outstanding calligraphy creations, but more importantly, his vigorous promotion of calligraphy as an emperor, making the Tang Dynasty the most prosperous period of calligraphy art in Chinese history. period.
"When Taizong first started to practice, he set up the Hongwen Pavilion on the left side of the main hall." "Civil and military officials of fifth grade or above would learn calligraphy in the pavilion." The famous calligraphers Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan taught calligraphy to the scholars. Art.
In the second year of Zhenguan, "Calligraphy" was established as a specialized calligraphy institution, affiliated with the Imperial College. In addition to the establishment of calligraphy education institutions, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty also listed calligraphy as an important subject for the imperial examination to recruit talents, and clearly specified "the beauty of regular script" as one of the criteria for the imperial examination. Therefore, the art of calligraphy became a requirement for the selection of officials. Institutions have become the most powerful driving force for the prosperity of art.
Yan Zhenqing, Yanjia Temple Monument, modern rubbings on paper
Due to the advocacy of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the habit of studying calligraphy became a fashion, prompting many literati and officials to devote themselves to the study of calligraphy. At that time, famous calligraphers appeared in large numbers, setting off the climax of calligraphy art in the Tang Dynasty.
Without the advocacy and promotion of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, I am afraid there would not have been so many famous figures in the Tang Dynasty such as Ouyang Xun, Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Huai Su, Zhang Xu, Sun Guoting, Li Beihai, etc. Blooming in the history of calligraphy. It has created the most brilliant page in the history of Chinese calligraphy.
From this point of view, Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was not only a "virtuous king" in history, but also a great "hero" in the history of calligraphy!