Characteristics of Dong Qichang's Calligraphy

Dong Qichang (1555- 1636), a native of Huating, Songjiang (now Songjiang County, Shanghai), whose real name is Xuanzai, the word is four white, and his name is Xiangguang layman. He is an official of Nanjing Ritual Department, and his name is Wen Min. Known as "Dong Xiangguang", "Dong Wenmin" and "Dong Huating" in the world, they were famous for their calligraphy and painting in the late Ming Dynasty.

His calligraphy attainments are highest in cursive script, and his calligraphy is based on "Two Kings", which is also attributed to Yan Zhenqing, Mi Fei and Yang Ningshi. Zhao Mengfu's calligraphy style also affects his creation more or less. The cursive script is rooted in Yan Zhenqing's "Contention for Seats" and "Sacrifice for Nephew", with Huai Su's roundness and Mi Fei's ups and downs. Use a pen accurately and always keep a positive face. There are few stagnant and sluggish pens in the works; Ink is also very particular, dry and wet, wonderful; Simple and natural style, simple and peaceful, or related to his temperament, easy to understand Zen. His calligraphy and painting creation emphasizes imitating the ancients, but is not old-fashioned. In the use of pen and ink, he pursues the effect of ripeness before beauty, which embodies the simple and naive personality of literati.