Where did Yan Zhenqing learn his calligraphy?

Yan Zhenqing lost his father at an early age and his family was poor. But he is diligent and studious, and insists on practicing calligraphy. In order to learn calligraphy, Yan Zhenqing first learned from Chu Suiliang, and then worshipped Zhang Xu as his teacher. Zhang Xu was a famous calligrapher in Tang Dynasty. He could write all kinds of fonts, especially cursive script. Yan Zhenqing hopes that under the guidance of this famous teacher, he will soon learn the tricks of writing and become famous at one fell swoop.

However, Zhang Xu did not reveal any secrets of calligraphy after learning from a teacher. He just introduced some famous copybooks to Yan Zhenqing, and simply pointed out the characteristics of copybooks for Yan Zhenqing to copy. Sometimes, he takes Yan Zhenqing to climb mountains, go swimming, go to the market and go to the theatre. Let Yan Zhenqing practice calligraphy when he gets home, or watch him doodle.

Extended data

Most of Yan Zhenqing's works handed down from ancient times are carved steles, and the regular script includes Multi-Tower Induction Monument, Magu Fairy Altar, Dong Fangshuo Portrait Monument, Yan Monument, Yanshi Family Temple Monument and so on. , as well as running script such as "the seat", and book traces such as "my own confession" and "the manuscript in memory of my nephew Ji Ming". Among them, the tablet is dignified and vigorous, but the brushwork is thin, which is different from other tablets.

Yan's Temple Monument is rich in calligraphy, which is one of his masterpieces in his later years. More vigorous than his early works, it is a masterpiece in his later years. In addition, there are also some epitaphs in Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy works found in contemporary times, such as Guo's epitaph, Wang Lin's epitaph and Luo Wanshun's epitaph. Most of them belong to Yan Zhenqing's early works.

Yan Zhenqing wrote, collected, Wu, Lu and Linchuan Collection, all of which were lost. Later generations compiled his poems into Collected Works of Yan (volume 15).

His works are also included in Complete Tang Poetry, Complete Tang Poetry Supplement and Complete Tang Literature.