First, the inevitable factor-the master of calligraphy in the two kings system.
(1) Dong Qichang in Yuan Dynasty
Dong Qichang, the "Zhao Mengfu" of the Ming Dynasty, can actually be regarded as the "Dong Qichang" of the Yuan Dynasty. This is because Zhao Mengfu, like Dong Qichang, is a representative inheritor of the two kings system, but one lived in the Yuan Dynasty and the other in the Ming Dynasty. Did you inherit the calligraphy charm of the two kings in the Qing Dynasty and be called a master of calligraphy?
In fact, I think some calligraphers in the Qing Dynasty did not really understand the true meaning of Erwang's calligraphy, although they involved some aspects of Erwang's calligraphy. For example, Liu Yong's calligraphy.
So, are there any calligraphers in modern times, modern times and contemporary times who can be regarded as inheriting the charm of the calligraphy of the two kings? In fact, there is very little, almost no, even if there is, I can only learn one aspect of Wang Xizhi.
For contemporary people, it is difficult to inherit the charm of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy if they just study. It's actually great to learn a small part of Wang Xizhi.
Of course, this does not mean that the calligraphy of the two kings is difficult to learn, but that if we learn calligraphy and just stare at one place, we will not achieve much, and we must have a strategic height.
(2) Zhao Mengfu and Dong Qichang's "strategy"
Obviously, both Zhao Mengfu and Dong Qichang are very resourceful and know how to capture the charm of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy without sticking to the old pattern.
It can be said that Zhao Mengfu and Dong Qichang have taken completely different paths. Because this article is centered on Zhao Mengfu, we will focus on Zhao Mengfu.
Zhao Mengfu's method is retro, completely following Wang Xizhi's footsteps, following Wang Xizhi's brush strokes, and not a single stroke was written by himself.
But is this really the case? Is it true that none of them were written by him? I don't think so. On the contrary, what makes Zhao Mengfu brilliant is that he has become Wang Xizhi in another sense. He wrote the calligraphy that Wang Xizhi wrote when he was alive, but Zhao Mengfu could write calligraphy after Wang Xizhi's death. From the height of an artist's soul, he completely integrated into Wang Xizhi, and every stroke was in tune with the law.
The effect obtained in this way will naturally remind people that although this person didn't write Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, if Wang Xizhi were alive, I'm afraid he could only write like this!
By the way, Dong Qichang, Dong Qichang should go another way, a smart way. He paid attention not to learn Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, but to learn Wang Xizhi's learning method, which is actually a good method.
Second, accidental factors-the environment of the times
The Inheritance Crisis of Calligraphy
In the Yuan Dynasty, Mongolians entered the Central Plains, and politically adopted a three-,six-and nine-level hierarchy, so knowledgeable literati lost their place and advanced ways. So it can be said that the cultural heritage of the Chinese nation has been greatly challenged.
In fact, there were three crises in China's calligraphy history, the first one was from the late Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. During this period, the chaotic state affairs were isolated from the world, and the culture almost disappeared, especially calligraphy. Yang Ningshi was the only one who could learn and appreciate it.
As a result, it took Song Dynasty almost a long time to restore the past calligraphy, and four calligraphers, including Su Huang Camo, appeared.
At the beginning of Yuan Dynasty and the end of Song Dynasty, under the situation of melee between Jin people and Mongolian ancients, it was hard to say that cultural inheritance was smooth. This is the second time. Fortunately, among the descendants of the imperial clan in the Song Dynasty, Zhao Mengfu was good at calligraphy, painting, music and poetry. In a sense, he and Su Shi in the Song Dynasty come down in one continuous line and belong to an all-round calligrapher.