The top ten calligraphers in ancient China: Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing, Ouyang Xun, Zhang Xu, Mi Fu, Liu Gongquan, Su Shi, Zhao Mengfu, Zhong Yao, Wen Zhengming.
1. Wang Xizhi, a famous calligrapher and calligraphy sage in the Eastern Jin Dynasty
He is good at calligraphy in Li, Cao, Kai and Xing styles. He studies the style carefully, imitates it with his heart, and picks it up widely. The experts prepared various styles and cultivated them in one furnace. They got rid of the writing style of Han and Wei Dynasties and became their own style with far-reaching influence. The representative work "Lanting Preface" is known as "the best running script in the world" and was loved by Emperor Taizong alone. "Quick Snow and Clear Tie" was also the favorite of the emperor Qianlong.
2. Yan Zhenqing, an outstanding calligrapher in the mid-Tang Dynasty
Yan Zhenqing created a unique realm of calligraphy with "Yan style" in the history of calligraphy. Yan Lugong's calligraphy is not only tied to his outstanding spirituality, the realm is naturally magnificent; not only is it cast with a strong soul, the realm is naturally vigorous; and it is born from the richness of people, so the realm is naturally broad. In his later years, he still strives for perfection and a state of perfection. His "face style" stands tall in the calligraphy world.
"Manuscript of Memorial to Nephew" is a draft written by Yan Zhenqing in the Tang Dynasty to commemorate his nephew Yan Jiming. It was written in one go regardless of clumsiness and was often written until the pen was dry. It is known as "the second running script in the world".
3. Ouyang Xun, a famous calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty
One of the four famous regular script masters in history, he has unique insights into calligraphy and has the "Eight Secrets" of calligraphy. Ouyang Xun's regular script is unparalleled in the world for its rigorous standard and powerful writing skills. He is said to be the best regular script among the Tang Dynasty people.
The "Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription Stele" has been hailed as "the best regular script in the world" or "the best regular script in the world" by later generations. It enjoys the reputation of "the ultimate standard of regular script" and has been regarded as the "best regular script" by calligraphers of all dynasties. A model of regular script, it is also the most copied work by calligraphy beginners in the past.
4. "Cao Sage" - Zhang Xu
He is good at cursive calligraphy and a good drinker. He is known as Zhang Dian in the world. At that time, his cursive calligraphy, Li Bai's poems and Pei Min's sword dance were considered "three wonders". "The whole post of "Belly Pain Poster" has only 30 words. It is written eloquently and coherently, and the charm is generated. Ming Wang Shizhen's postscript says: "Several lines of Zhang Changshi's "Belly Pain Note" and "Thousand-Character Essay" are haunted by ghosts and unpredictable."
5. Calligraphers and painters of the Northern Song Dynasty—— Mi Fu
He is one of the "Four Calligraphers of the Song Dynasty" (Su, Mi, Huang, Cai) and is second to none. He is good at seal script, official script, regular script, running script, cursive script and other calligraphy styles. He is good at copying ancient calligraphy. , reaching the level of authenticity. His calligraphy style is casual and unrestrained, but also strict with the law. "History of the Song Dynasty·Biography of Wenyuan" says: "Fu Te is more wonderful than calligraphy, calm and flying, and captures Wang Xian's brushstrokes."
"Shu Su Tie" is written in a black silk column, but its momentum is not limited at all. He is free-spirited and indulgent, using the pen gracefully and vigorously, with flying gestures. He lifts, presses, turns and picks, and the music changes. Dong Qichang's postscript said: "This volume is like a lion fighting an elephant, fighting with all one's strength, it should be a lifelong cooperation."
6. Liu Gongquan, a famous calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty
From official to Prince Shaoshi, he was known as "Liu Shaoshi" in the world. He absorbed Yan and Ou's strengths and became a powerful person in Jin Dynasty. Between Mei and Yan Shu's grace and majesty, they formed their own willow body. They are famous for their strong bones and are known as "Yan Jin Liu Gu" in later generations. Liu Gongquan's calligraphy was famous in the Tang Dynasty, and there was a saying among the people that "one character of Liu is worth a thousand pieces of gold".
"Mysterious Pagoda Stele" - Ming Wang Shizhen said: "This stele is the one with the most exposed muscles and bones in Liu Shu." Its bones are strong, the muscles and bones are exposed, and it is strong and charming; the characters are long and thin, and the size is quite large Scattered, clever and full of changes, looking forward to the divine flight, with energy flowing through the lines. There is no imperfection in the entire stele, and it can be described as exquisite.
7. Calligrapher, painter and writer of the Northern Song Dynasty - Su Shi
Su Shi was also good at running and regular script. Ziyun said: "I can't create my own calligraphy." He was respected by everyone. At that time, his brothers and nephews You, Mai, and Guo, and his friends Wang Dingguo and Zhao Lingju all learned from him. Later, historical celebrities such as Li Gang, Han Shizhong, Lu You, and Wu Kuan in the Qing Dynasty and Zhang Zhidong in the Qing Dynasty also learned from him, which shows his great influence.
"Huangzhou Cold Food Post" is Su Shi's finest work in running script. This is a poem of excitement, which is the sigh of life written by Su Shi on the Cold Food Festival in the third year after he was demoted to Huangzhou. The calligraphy throughout the text is full of ups and downs, dazzling and unrestrained, and has no recklessness. It is known as "the third running script in the world".
8. Zhao Mengfu, a famous calligrapher and painter in the Yuan Dynasty
Zhao Mengfu not only created a new style in painting, but was also the first calligrapher in the Yuan Dynasty. As Xian Yushu, a famous calligrapher in the Yuan Dynasty, commented: "Zi'ang's seal script, Li script, Zhen script, Xing script, and Biancao script are the best today." The calligraphy style created by Zhao is charming, elegant, neat in structure, and mature in brushwork. Later generations called it "Zhao style". "Luo Shen Fu" is Zhao's representative work in running script. The combination of regular script and stippling in the lines was deeply appreciated by the two kings.
9. Zhong Yao, a famous calligrapher and politician from Cao and Wei in the Three Kingdoms
Zhong Yao learned from Cao Xi and Cai Yong. Regular script formed a new look from Li to regular script. He is as famous as Wang Xizhi and is also known as the "Zhong King". Zhang Huaijin of the Tang Dynasty wrote in his "Book Break": "The true calligraphy is peerless, both hard and soft. There are many interesting things between the stipples and paintings. It can be said to be profound and boundless, and more than quaint. There is only one person since the Qin and Han Dynasties."
It is said that "Declaration Table" is Wang Xizhi's copy. The font is neat and elegant, with a slightly flat structure. The strokes have lost the ancient meaning of official script and are mostly real calligraphy. It is Zhong Yao's masterpiece and can also be said to be the ancestor of regular script.
10. Wen Zhengming, one of the four great talents in the south of the Yangtze River in the Ming Dynasty
Wen Zhengming’s first calligraphy master was Li Yingzhen. The rules are strict and the mood is vivid. Although it is not powerful and powerful, it has the style of Jin and Tang calligraphy and has its own certain style.
The small regular script strokes are gentle and the rhythm is gentle, which is in harmony with his painting style. He is known as "the best in the Ming Dynasty" and has a great influence on later generations. "Xiyuan Poems" is one of Wen Zhengming's representative works in cursive script. Wen Zhengming was 85 years old. The calligraphy is vigorous and smooth, and the style is neat and elegant.