What are Dong Qichang's works in his later years? What are their characteristics?

In his later years, Dong Qichang liked to learn Su Shi's calligraphy, which was naturally influenced by Dongpo's literary theory of "getting old and familiar, but returning to simplicity". At this time, his calligraphy, especially cursive script, not only has a dignified style, but also has sharp strokes and less thick ink. However, it is more dry pen and light ink, with thin lines and very light and far-reaching artistic conception. It is no longer appropriate to use the word "Cang Xiu" to describe it. The representative works of this period include Zhang Jiuling's Bai Yufan's Fu Juan, Dong Fangshuo's Difficult Volume to Answer Guests, Postscript to Picture 4 of Autumn in Zhao Mengfu, Yan Zhenqing's Contention for Seats, Cursive Poems, Five-character Poems Axis and so on.

At the same time, the formation of Dong Qichang's calligraphy style is also closely related to his efforts in using pen, writing, composition and ink. Dong Qichang has been tirelessly exploring traditional brushwork all his life. After studying a large number of ancient calligraphy posts, his deepest experience is the "emptiness" of the pen. He believes that only a pen can make a virtual harmony, and the charm will be born under the wrist. Only by "not making a real pen" can there be an ever-changing "no sag, no shrinkage, no harvest". In addition, in the knot, Dong Shi pays attention to implication, compactness and strength; In composition, inspired by Yang Ningshi's Jiuhua Tie and Immortal Living Method, he attaches great importance to the principle of alternating density and density, and increases the distance between words and lines to strengthen the visual contrast between black and white and reality, thus creating a simple and far-reaching artistic conception; In using ink, he attaches great importance to "using ink must make it moist, not boring, especially avoiding agricultural fertilizer, which is a great evil."

In a word, Dong Qichang was a master of calligraphy in Iron Science, and his skill of copying traditional calligraphy was unparalleled at that time. From Zhong You and Erwang to Zhang Xu, Yan Zhenqing, Huai Su, from to Yuan Dynasty, the calligraphers of the Iron School represented by Erwang earnestly learn from each other's strong points and absorb the essence, forming their own calligraphy style, which is plain and elegant. Dong Qichang was one of the most outstanding calligraphers in Ming Dynasty. Although he failed to master the calligraphy of the Ming Dynasty, when it comes to his high rank and great achievements, no one can beat him. After entering the Qing Dynasty, Dong Qichang became particularly famous because he was highly praised by Emperor Kangxi, and it was the heyday of learning Dong in the world at that time.