Wang Xizhi, a calligrapher, was born in Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. His calligraphy is best known as Preface to Lanting, which is called the best running script in the world by later generations. The book is eloquent and magnificent. People often describe songs like this: this song should only exist in the sky. Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and painting description is even better than the previous floor.
Why is Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and painting invaluable in ancient times? Mainly because Wang Xizhi is said to have created many works, but none of them remain in later generations. In the past, there were some works handed down from ancient times by famous calligraphers. Many works have not been preserved, which reflects the preciousness of Wang Xizhi's paintings and calligraphy.
Take Preface to Lanting as an example. There are many versions described by later generations, but the original is still a mystery. The version described is the closest to the original in contemporary Feng Chengsu, but it is pirated if it is not pleasant to say, but its preciousness can reach the level of being collected by the Palace Museum. If it is authentic, even in ancient times, it is inestimable.
It is said that the preface to Lanting Collection was originally kept by the eloquent monk, but the monarch of a country, Emperor Taizong, ignored his aristocratic status and deceived the original work, and the eloquent monk finally died with a grudge. The royal family's worship of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy is by no means limited to this: for example, Liang Wudi ordered the extraction of more than 1000 completely different words from Wang Xizhi's calligraphy for the royal family's descendants to copy and learn; A generation of Wuhou edited Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and painting into a book as a reward for the minister.
From emperors and generals to ordinary people, Wang Xizhi's paintings and calligraphy were greatly appreciated. The copied version can be priceless, let alone the original, so whether it is modern or ancient, it is priceless.