Wen Zhiming read Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Lanting Pavilion many times in his life, and many versions remain in the world, but I think these four versions can reflect Wen Zhiming's level in different periods and provide a glimpse of his calligraphy style throughout his life. Look at the calligraphy of Preface to Lanting, which is moist and beautiful, rigorous in statutes and vivid in conception, especially the 89-year version, and it is the best calligraphy work I have ever seen.
The Book of Youth is well-organized, rigorous in statutes, euphemistic in brushwork, elegant and delicate.
Middle-aged books are beautiful, healthy, freely retractable and have extraordinary charm and elegance.
73 years old, the book is meaningful and elegant, and the heart and hands are smooth. Full of depression and frustration, there is a hidden edge between the lines, which seems to ease the disappointment with life.
At the age of 89, it is rare for a book to be so nuanced, and the charm of calligraphy is so subtle. It can be said that people and books are old.
Look at this temporary work, you can press it accurately, such as flowing, free and easy, rich and moist, and the whole article is stable and interesting, without losing the old and spicy interest, showing your skillful calligraphy skills and interest.
Wen Zhiming, who studied Wang Xizhi all his life, paid tribute to the calligrapher by participating in Preface to Lanting at the last moment of his life, because Wen Zhiming died at the age of 90 the following spring. At this time, the preface to Lanting has not been completely written, which contains my own understanding and creativity. I think this is the best level of Wen Zhiming's calligraphy I have ever seen.
This Preface to Lanting will also be recorded in the history of books, which will last forever.