Ou Yangxun, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, and Zhao Mengfu are the four major players in regular script.
The four masters of regular script are the collective names of four calligraphers who are famous for regular script in the history of calligraphy, also known as the four regular scripts. They respectively refer to Ou Yangxun (European style), Yan Zhenqing (Yan style), Liu Gongquan (Liu Ti) and Zhao Mengfu (Zhao Ti) in Yuan Dynasty.
1. Ou Yangxun (557-641) was born in Linxiang, Tanzhou (now Changsha, Hunan). His calligraphy achievements are based on regular script, with bold brushwork and unique structure, which is called "European style" by later generations.
Ou Yangxun in the Tang Dynasty: His regular script is rigorous and precipitous, and he is known as "the first regular script in the Tang Dynasty" in the world, and his masterpiece "The Inscription of Liquan in Jiucheng Palace".
2. Yan Zhenqing (79-784), born in Jingzhao Wannian, was born in Linyi, Tang Dynasty (now Linyi, Shandong Province). In the history of calligraphy, he is the most accomplished and influential calligrapher after the two kings. Zhang Xu, the "sage of grass", was a beginner in his books, and four in the early Tang Dynasty. After that, he collected widely, changed the ancient method, turned against the calligraphy style in the early Tang Dynasty, turned thin and hard into rich and vigorous, became broad-minded and magnificent, and was vigorous and awe-inspiring. This style also reflected the prosperous demeanor of the Tang Dynasty and was noble with him.
Yan Zhenqing (Yan Ti) in Tang Dynasty: His regular script is dignified and majestic, and it is known as "Yan Ti" in the world. His representative works are Yan Qinli Monument, Yan Family Temple Monument, Duobaota Monument and The Story of Magu Xiantan.
3. Liu Gongquan (778-865), whose real name is Cheng Hang, was a native of Jing Zhaohua in the Tang Dynasty (now Tongchuan, Shaanxi), and he was a Taizi Taishi, who was called "Liu Shaoshi" in the world. Later generations called them "Yan Jin Liu Gu" and became the model of calligraphy in all previous dynasties. His calligraphy is vigorous and vigorous, and every word is rigorous and meticulous. In terms of the characteristics of Chinese characters, it is famous for its thinness and strength. The regular script written is attractive in body and strong in bone, and the running script and regular script are the most exquisite.
Liu Gongquan (Liu Ti) in the Tang Dynasty: His regular script is clean and vigorous, with rigorous structure and exquisite brushwork, and his brushwork is tall and straight. He is known as "Liu Ti" in the world, and his masterpieces are The Mysterious Tower Monument and the Shence Army Monument.
4. Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322): Zi Zi Ang, named Songxue, was born in Songxue Road, Xing Wu (now Huzhou, Zhejiang). He is good at seal script, official script, truth, calligraphy, cursive script, especially in kai script and calligraphy. The book History of the Yuan Dynasty says that "Meng Yi's seal script and calligraphy are all the best in ancient and modern times, so he takes the title of the book as the world". Yuan Xian Yu-shu's Collection of Kunxue Zhai said: "Zi Ang's seal, Li, Zhen, Xing and Dian Cao are the first in the contemporary era, and Xiao Kai is the first among Zi Ang's books." His book style is charming and elegant, with neat structure and skillful brushwork, and he is known as "Zhao Ti" in the world.
Zhao Mengfu in the Yuan Dynasty: His regular script is round and delicate, correct and rigorous, and he is also known as "Zhao Ti" in the world, and his masterpiece "Rebuilding Three Stories in the Mysterious Temple".