First of all, their creative backgrounds are different. Preface to Lanting Collection was written by Wang Xizhi and other scholars in Lanting, Huiji Mountain in the 9th year of Yu Yonghe (353). At that time, he invited more than 40 scholars, including Xie An and Sun Chuo, to gather together and compose a poem to talk about their intimate feelings. Preface to the Collection of Lanting was written by Wang Xizhi in his later years, when he was already a famous "book saint". He expressed his deep thoughts on life, morality and emotion through the memories of his life experiences and feelings.
Secondly, the themes of the two are different. Preface to Lanting Collection mainly describes the living conditions, thoughts and feelings of the literati at that time, and shows a picture of elegance and vulgarity of the literati. The Preface to Lanting deeply discusses the philosophy of life and moral ethics, and expresses Wang Xizhi's unique views on human nature and life.
Finally, their artistic styles are also different. Preface to Lanting Collection is fresh and natural in artistic style, concise in brushwork and profound in artistic conception. The Preface to Lanting pays more attention to the use of pen and ink and the expression of emotion, and the calligraphy style is more vigorous and dignified, which shows Wang Xizhi's profound understanding and outstanding talent in calligraphy art.
In a word, although Preface to Lanting Collection and Preface to Lanting were both written by Wang Xizhi, there are obvious differences in creative background, theme and artistic style. These differences make these two works unique in the history of China calligraphy and become immortal classics.