There are probably the following kinds of preservation methods for the works of famous ancient painters and calligraphers.
Tang Hangan's Wrapped Horse Map
The first is framed preservation.
As the saying goes, three-point painting and seven-point mounting. Mounting is the best way to preserve paintings and calligraphy, which can not only keep the core intact, but also facilitate carrying and keeping.
The paintings and calligraphy works of famous artists have high artistic value. Some collectors will carefully frame the works of famous artists and seal them at the bottom of the box. At the same time, they will put some drugs to prevent moth-eaten, and rarely show them, which can effectively preserve the integrity of calligraphy and painting for a long time.
Wang Xizhi's Preface to Lanting in the Eastern Jin Dynasty
Second, copy and save.
The most representative painting and calligraphy of this point is Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Lanting Pavilion. The distance of the Eastern Jin Dynasty is now 1700 years, which can be said to be far beyond the life cycle of rice paper. But now we can see Preface to Lanting, because Feng Chengsu, a famous calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty, copied it according to Wang Xizhi's calligraphy.
In ancient times, in the face of a previous excellent painting and calligraphy work, famous artists would copy it, mainly for learning, but also effectively passed it down and preserved it for future generations to see.
Fan Kuan's Journey to the Western Hills in the Northern Song Dynasty
Third, buried with him.
After the death of ancient emperors, luxurious tombs were built, and many antique calligraphy and paintings were buried in the tombs. Because the tomb is a very closed space, there is little air and moisture, which is very conducive to the long-term preservation of calligraphy and painting works.
After some textual research scholars excavated the mausoleum, these buried calligraphy and paintings were rediscovered.
Don Yan Zhenqing's "Duobaota Monument"
Fourth, tombstone preservation.
Tombstone preservation is a common way of calligraphy. Some famous calligraphers in ancient times were often invited to write tombstones. After writing, they entrusted masons to carve one by one according to the original strokes, which basically kept the original appearance of calligraphers' calligraphy. A large number of inscriptions that we can see now are preserved in this way.