The famous calligraphers in history include: Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, and Su Shi.
1. Wang Xizhi
"Preface to the Lanting Collection" is the representative work of the calligraphy sage Wang Xizhi, known as "the best running script in the world". Legend has it that Wang Xizhi practiced calligraphy hard when he was a child. Over time, the water in the pond used to clean his brushes turned ink color. This is the legend of the Mochi. Wang Xizhi's original calligraphy has long since disappeared, and all extant calligraphy and calligraphy are copies made by later generations.
2. Wang Xianzhi
Wang Xianzhi is the son of the "Sage of Calligraphy" Wang Xizhi. Together with his father Wang Xizhi, he is known as the "Two Kings" and is known as the "Little Sage"; Wang Xianzhi writes in running script and His cursive calligraphy is world-famous, and he also has profound skills in regular script and official script. Zhang Huaiguan rated his calligraphy as first-class in "Shu Appraisal".
3. Yan Zhenqing
In the history of Chinese calligraphy, the most accomplished and influential calligrapher after the two kings is undoubtedly Yan Zhenqing. Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy is good at running and regular script.
4. Liu Gongquan
Liu Gongquan, a calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty, one of the "Four Masters of Regular Script". Liu Gongquan's calligraphy is famous for his regular script. He first studied Wang Xizhi, and later studied and inherited Zhong Yao, On the basis of the regular script style of Wang Xizhi and others, he studied the calligraphy of famous calligraphers of the Tang Dynasty, absorbed the strengths of Yan Zhenqing and Ouyang Xun, and created his own "Liu style". Later generations have the reputation of "Yan Jin Jin Liu Gu", and it has been a model for generations to come.
5. Su Shi
Su Shi was a famous writer, painter, and calligrapher in the Northern Song Dynasty. Su Shi's calligraphy, together with Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu and Cai Xiang, are collectively known as the "Four Calligraphers of the Song Dynasty".