In a sense, information is a collector's guide to action. People who are good at using information will be the biggest beneficiaries. The selection of "Top Ten Outstanding Calligraphers in China in the 20th Century" sponsored by China Calligraphy magazine was announced at the beginning of the year after experts and the masses voted. Ranked by votes: Wu Changshuo, Kang Youwei, Yu Youren, Shen, Sha Menghai, Qi Baishi, Li Shutong. For collectors and investors, this selection result has certain reference value, and it is also convenient for collectors to set collection goals.
Calligraphy and painting collection, of course, should take artistry as the first element. Because of personal preferences, artistic aesthetics and appreciation, people often have completely different attitudes towards the works of famous painters and painters in ancient and modern times. Sometimes it is just a collection of works that were not favored by the market at that time, but were favored several years later. It depends on the appreciation level of collectors and whether they have a strategic vision. For example, Lin Sanzhi, known as the "sage of grass" in modern times, was not taken seriously by the domestic painting and calligraphy circles 50 years ago, and few people knew his calligraphy realm. If anyone collected Lin Sanzhi's original manuscripts at that time, he must be a beneficiary today, because these treasures have increased several times.
The discovery of Lin Sanzhi's calligraphy benefited from the first national calligraphy seal cutting exhibition. That was 1978. Lin Sanzhi's "Big Grass" shocked all the judges, including Guo Moruo and others. They all admired his bold brushwork and exquisite use of lines. Later, due to the worship of Japanese calligraphy, Lin Sanzhi quickly became popular in China. He was nearly 60 years old at that time.
Looking closely at this list of reports from the most authoritative institutions in China's calligraphy field, it is not difficult to see the following characteristics: First, calligraphy is purely convincing. From the perspective of pure calligraphy art, the first 4&; 127; The talent of a famous calligrapher is indeed the biggest bright spot, which is irreplaceable by others. Especially the finalists Kang Youwei and Yu Youren are even more convincing. They are real calligraphers and masters, not ordinary writers. Compared with Qi Baishi, Sha Menghai, Shen and other famous calligraphers, the popularity of these two calligraphers seems to be lower, which is inseparable from the previous propaganda and the differences of the times. However, once the artistic achievements of the two masters are recognized by today's people, the works will not be at today's price at the auction.
Yu Youren's works left to the world are mostly in the form of cursive couplets, which are calm and heavy, filled with atmospheric charm. His calligraphy spirit is very consistent with his personality founder. People know Kang Youwei mostly on the basis of the "Reform Movement of 1898" in the history of China. Anyone familiar with China's calligraphy knows that Kang Youwei's contribution to promoting the spread and development of China's calligraphy art will never be inferior to his political actions in history. Kang Youwei's calligraphy is deeply influenced by Wei Bei, but he also pays attention to variety. Often there is no sharp point in starting a pen, no sharp point in collecting a pen, and no setbacks; Folding pen, made in Fiona Fang. When you start writing, it's fast and wonderful. The skill under your wrist is impressive. It can be said that the artistic charm of the top four among the top ten outstanding calligraphers is that Wu Changshuo is magnificent, Lin Sanzhi is dry and ethereal, Kang Youwei has a broad artistic conception, and Yu Youren is full of vigor and vitality.
Second, Xie Wuliang and Qi Baishi were shortlisted, which showed the effect of art and communication. The former is the least famous among 10 people, but it is his extensive and profound knowledge and seemingly careless calligraphy art that has won people's love. Some works of art often have a bad feeling from the beginning, but over time, the more you look, the more interesting it becomes. Xie Wuliang's calligraphy is like this. His font structure is novel and unique, smart and clumsy, sparse but not loose. In fact, it is well thought out and has its own statutes. According to the author's understanding of his own calligraphy, the reason why his works can't be finalized is on the one hand because of his understanding and mastery of calligraphy, and on the other hand because of his extensive and profound knowledge. Therefore, his calligraphy style is simple, vigorous, rigid and flexible, not rigid in fixed forms, not artificial, but intriguing. Qi Baishi's calligraphy can rank among the top ten outstanding calligraphers in the 20th century, which is somewhat influenced by his painting name. Compared with his excellent ink painting, his calligraphy seems to be nothing to mention. If those poems are not accompanied by beautiful pictures, who will squint and evaluate them carefully? From the collection point of view, I am afraid that 10 Qi Zimin is not worth the economic value of 1 Qihua. After all, behind the economic value, there is artistic gold content to support it.
Third, Shen He's shortlist is quite dramatic. Shen Shi's calligraphy art is regarded as a pioneer in modern times in the maritime art world, and it has indeed influenced several generations of people engaged in calligraphy art, but in the northern and central plains of China, it is often regarded as the bane that hinders the development and progress of modern maritime calligraphy. From the perspective of collection and appreciation, it is a wise move to partially absorb and collect some works by Shen Shi. But if it is regarded as a model of art, it will often become a stumbling block for collectors. Li Shutong's calligraphy is naturally different. He is beyond elegance, without a trace of human impetuousness. He writes slowly and carefully, which really makes the audience cool immediately when they see it on a hot summer day. I once saw an excellent couplet by Li Shutong in the former residence of Shimen Ancient Town, a famous modern artist Feng Zikai, and enjoyed it very much. The couplet says, "If you want to be a teacher of all laws, your heart is like a painter." The same thick line, slightly rectangular structure, comes out at will without any traction with a pen, full of Zen energy, which is really difficult and not easy to learn. Someone has tried to interpret Li's calligraphy and imitate his calligraphy works, but the impression is always neither fish nor fowl. Without its art and cultivation, how can Imitation be a book?
The selection of the top ten outstanding calligraphers in China in the 20th century will surely play an important role in the field of collection. Among the top ten outstanding calligraphers, Wu Changshuo, Lin Sanzhi and Sha Menghai's calligraphy has long been promoted to the status of "lonely at the top", and each work often costs 20,000 yuan (about 6 square feet) to shoot; The works of Kang Youwei and Yu Youren are also on the rise in recent years. With further recognition of them, their value will rise again. In contrast, only Xie Wuliang's works can do some calculations. If we leave before others wake up, there will definitely be a lot of room to hover. (Shi Ping)
Reprinted "China Commercial Daily Auction Collection Weekly" (No.86)