Emperor Taizong is not only a brilliant politician, but also a calligrapher who is proud of the ages. This point, from his representative works "Jinci Ming" and "Wenquan Ming", we can appreciate the brilliance and perfection of his calligraphy attainments. Emperor Taizong's calligraphy won the legacy of Wang Xizhi. His font is bold and unrestrained, and his style is vigorous and elegant. Between the lines, he reveals his demeanor and kingly demeanor. His personal calligraphy attainments are the first among emperors in the past; His "Li Shu" has a far-reaching influence on China's calligraphy, which is even more unique.
Power and calligraphy belong to the category of superstructure, but the latter can be influenced by the former. The influence of power on calligraphy is nothing more than promotion, adjustment and imprisonment. The prosperity of calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty is inseparable from the promotion and guidance of power, which is unique in the history of calligraphy. Throughout the ages, "the prosperity of books is not in the Tang Dynasty". With the respect of emperors, the boldness of great men and the mind of literati, Emperor Taizong applied supreme power to the development of calligraphy art, which, from a practical point of view, contributed to a good beginning of calligraphy prosperity in the early Tang Dynasty. In the long run, he made the calligraphy level of the whole Tang Dynasty reach the peak of all previous dynasties.
The strength of the country, the prosperity of culture and the high spirits of scholars are, of course, the active historical factors of calligraphy creation. The emperor's great attention to calligraphy and positive attitude are the humanistic factors of famous calligraphers. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, Hong Wen Pavilion was set up, famous calligraphers were appointed as doctors of calligraphy, calligraphy talents were trained, and officials with more than five products in Beijing were ordered to study calligraphy in Hong Wen Pavilion. Holding Wang Xizhi as a "book saint" has made great contributions to the orthodoxy of calligraphy; Taking Wang Xizhi's calligraphy as the carrier, through the construction of calligraphy theory, he intervened in the calligraphy circle in the early Tang Dynasty, which promoted the prosperity of calligraphy and promoted the calligraphy style in the early Tang Dynasty for more than one hundred years. It is required that the selection of civil servants should be based on "style, language, style and judgment", and candidates must pass "regular script" before they can be hired, otherwise they will be rejected by one vote.
Emperor Taizong used the authority of the emperor to "force" ministers and students to practice calligraphy hard. Although autocracy was too strict, calligraphy was virtually popularized. In addition, Emperor Taizong often talked with ministers about books, saying that some ministers were more valued by the emperor because of their good handwriting, and some calligraphers enjoyed great honor because they were summoned by the emperor, which made many people taste the "sweetness" and "benefits" of learning calligraphy. Especially after taking calligraphy art as a prerequisite for selecting and appointing officials and forming requirements and systems, this feature of the Tang Dynasty and this feature of the times has become the strongest driving force for the prosperity of calligraphy art.
Under the influence of Emperor Taizong, Tang Gaozong, Tang Ruizong, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and Tang Suzong all loved and advocated calligraphy. In addition, they all have high attainments in calligraphy, and their calligraphy style is very popular. In such a relaxed artistic atmosphere, calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty reached unprecedented prosperity. Power promoted the prosperity of calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty, created a social atmosphere conducive to the development of calligraphy, and a large number of calligraphers emerged. Chu Suiliang, Ou Yangxun, Yu Shinan, Xue Ji, Sun, Li Yong, Huai Su, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Zhang Xu and other great calligraphers were not only famous for a while, but also had far-reaching influence. Calligraphy is the most popular and mature art in the Tang Dynasty.
There is no doubt that he was the "first calligrapher" of the ancient emperors in China. It is not bad to say that he is China's "the first person in the history of calligraphy". Of course, such a title, for this talented, shoulder great achievements of the "eternal emperor", I am afraid it is unexpected. Culture is not a person's culture, and calligraphy is not a person's calligraphy. They belong to everyone in China. How to make culture return to ancient times and how to develop calligraphy is considered by this wise monarch with indomitable spirit.