Feng Chengsu's Preface to Lanting Collection in Tang Dynasty is recognized as the most exquisite copy.
However, thousands of years have passed since the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and Wang Xizhi's calligraphy ink has disappeared. Wang Xizhi's existing works are the works of later generations, including Preface to Lanting Collection. The existing Preface to Lanting is the most famous, important and credible, which is generally considered to be the manuscripts of Feng Chengsu, Chu Suiliang and Yu Shinan in the Tang Dynasty. Even if it is copied, it is not necessarily the handwriting of these calligraphers, but more likely the hand of a professional craftsman.
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Feng Chengsu (6 17-672) was born in Xindu, Chang 'an (now Xi, Shaanxi). Calligraphers in Tang Dynasty. Zhenguan (627-649), a calligrapher in the palace, went directly to the Hong Wen Pavilion. In the 13th year of Zhenguan, he wrote the original book On Le Yi and presented it to six people, including Wuji, Fang, Gao Shilian, Hou, Yang Shidao. Moreover, the brushwork is exquisite and the rules are well prepared. He also ordered Feng, Zhao Mo, Zhuge Zhen, Han Daozheng, Tompuche and others to copy several copies of Wang Xizhi's Preface to Lanting recorded by Emperor Taizong in the past dynasties. When commenting on his book, "the brushwork is exquisite, and the small three are simple." "
According to the epitaph of Feng Chengsu unearthed in recent years, he was an official in Tang Gaozong, and Xian Heng died in his home in Tonghua, Chang 'an in October of the third year (672). He died at the age of 56 and was buried with his wife Zhu in Levin (Chang 'an District), Ganfeng County (Jin 'an).
Wang Xizhi's Preface to Lanting (Dragon Scroll) handed down from ancient times is generally called Feng Chengsu's manuscript after Guo Tianxi in Yuan Dynasty. Breaking the front, breaking the pen, writing articles and posts are all fascinating.
Preface to the Collection of Feng Moran Pavilion, Tang Dynasty, Copy, Paper, Running Script, 24.5 cm long and 69.9 cm wide. Collection of Beijing Palace Museum
The front paper 13 lines of this volume are loosely spaced, and the back paper 15 lines are tightly spaced. But the front, back, left and right belts are obliquely scattered, and the whole paper is integrated, which is better than other copies. Repeated pitching with a pen, sharp nib, sometimes thief hair, cross-pen, not only retains the traces of copying according to the original trace, but also shows the characteristics of free writing. Copying is natural and vivid, which has the advantage of "preserving truth". It is the most exquisite copy handed down from ancient times, which embodies the artistic charm of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and has a beautiful appearance. It is a copy of the Tang Dynasty close to the original.