Preface to Lanting is a well-known and beautiful prose with brilliant literary talent and delicate words. It breaks the routine, finds a new way, does not stick to the old pattern, is wonderful and elegant, and it is refreshing whether it is lyrical scenery writing or commenting on historical records. Especially in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, when talking about metaphysics at that time, it was particularly valuable to put forward the view that "death and life are false life, and Peng Qi's demise is an illusion". The greater achievement of Preface to Lanting Collection lies in its calligraphy art, which is light, ethereal and natural. Charming and elegant with a pen; The technique is both peaceful and strange, and the size is uneven. There are both elaborate artistic ingenuity and no traces of artificial carving, which is natural.
"Sacrificing a Nephew" is a calligraphy work with great historical and artistic value. This manuscript was written in 758 AD, the third year after the An Shi Rebellion broke out. Yan Zhenqing's brothers and nephews Yan Gaoqing and Yan Jiming died in the battle with the rebels. At this time, Yan Zhenqing was 49 years old, so he said that people with white hair sent people with black hair. This calligraphy work can be described as a seamless whole, with touching feelings and unrestrained brushwork, which is a thousand miles away. Sometimes vigorous and colorful, often written dry, but also vigorous and smooth. Its heroic spirit is not only seen in the pen, but also in the passionate emotions between the lines.
The blending of emotion and pen, tears and ink has created the prominent position of "Sacrificing a Nephew", which is called "the second running script in the world" by later generations. In the absence of the preface to Lanting, this work is the best in the world. China's greatest art is to use his great personality and the most generous mood to turn his lifelong skills into blood and tears, and condense them into a piece of ink in one breath.