Why is Yan Zhenqing called Yan Gu?

In the history of calligraphy, Yan Zhenqing is the most accomplished and influential calligrapher after the two kings. With the rise of Yan Zhenqing, Tang Kai has formed a brand-new style, which is another milestone in the history of calligraphy after Wang Xizhi. At first, his calligraphy was learned from Zhang Xu, Wang Xizhi and the early Tang Dynasty. Later, he collected and studied extensively and formed his own style. His regular script became archaic, which was contrary to the delicate and vigorous style of calligraphy in the early Tang Dynasty. He used the pen of seal script to harden the thin into vigorous and vigorous, with a broad and magnificent structure, dignified and majestic. Yan Zhenqing's regular script is like a person's bones and muscles. Magnificent and awe-inspiring, it is called "Yanjin". This style also embodies the style of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, which is in line with his noble personality and is a model of the perfect combination of calligraphy beauty and personality beauty.

Yan Zhenqing lived in the prosperous Tang Dynasty to the middle Tang Dynasty. His calligraphy works can be said that on the one hand, it shows the vigorous strength of the country in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, on the other hand, it also reflects his own enterprising spirit. Later generations often refer to Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy, Du Fu's poems and Han Yu's writings as Tang Wenhua's "Three Musts", referred to as Du Fu's poems, Korean and Yan Shu for short. In the history of calligraphy art, there are four schools of thought about regular script: Europe, Yan, Liu and Yan Zhenqing. People often compare it with Wang Xizhi, a sage of calligraphy, and think that Wang takes calligraphy first and regular script strictly first.

Yan Zhenqing's regular script is a school of its own, which not only has the charm of the previous calligraphy style, but also is not bound by the ancient law. It broke through the conventions of the early Tang Dynasty, established a new pattern of regular script, and created a unique style and brushwork, which was called "colorful style". His life's heroic deeds have improved his position in calligraphy. Yan Zhenqing's words are like a person, always positive, which can give full play to a man's composure and fortitude. He was born when regular script was popular, which formed a typical contrast with Wang Xizhi and led the new trend of calligraphy. The tablet he wrote in regular script is correct, beautiful and powerful. His official books are famous for their richness and strength, such as "Yan's Family Temple Monument", "the front is invincible and runs away in fear"; As for everyone on the cliff, they are magnificent, and the most famous is Ode to the Great Tang Dynasty. At the highest level, the first to promote the Li monument are those who express their charm. He left many inscriptions, and later calligraphers thought that traces of "round pen" could be found in some of his inscriptions. Different from other calligraphers' "Fang Bi", Yan Zhenqing is regarded as the pioneer of round pen calligraphy. The use of square pens by him and Wang Xizhi had a far-reaching influence on later generations.

Representative works include Yan Monument, Duobaota Monument, Magu Fairy Altar, Painting Praise Monument and Guojiamiao Monument.