Yan Zhenqing lost his father when he was young and his family was poor. But he is studious and diligent in practicing calligraphy. In order to learn calligraphy, Yan Zhenqing first learned from Chu Suiliang, and later became a disciple of Zhang Xu. Zhang Xu was the leading calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty. He could write in various handwritings and was especially good at cursive script. Yan Zhenqing hoped that under the guidance of this famous teacher, he would quickly learn the skills of writing and become famous in one fell swoop.
But after becoming a disciple, Zhang Xu did not reveal any secrets of calligraphy. He just introduced some famous calligraphy books to Yan Zhenqing, briefly pointed out the characteristics of the calligraphy books, and asked Yan Zhenqing to copy them. Sometimes, he would take Yan Zhenqing to climb mountains, swim, go to fairs, and watch plays. After returning home, he would let Yan Zhenqing practice calligraphy, or watch him write quickly.
Extended information
The most handed down works of Yan Zhenqing are stele inscriptions. In regular script, they include "Duobao Pagoda Induction Stele", "Magu Immortal Altar Story", "Dongfang Shuo Portrait Stele", "Yan Qinli Stele", "Yan Family Temple" "Stele" and so on, the running script includes "Manuscript of Fighting for a Seat", and the handwriting includes "Manuscript of Self-address" and "Manuscript of Memorial to Nephew Ji Ming". Among them, the "Yan Qin Li Stele" is more dignified and vigorous, but the thin strokes are different from other inscriptions.
The "Yan Family Temple Stele", with its rich calligraphy, is one of his proud works in his later years. Compared with his early works, it is more vigorous and majestic, and it is a masterpiece in his later years. In addition, some epitaphs are found in Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy works discovered in the contemporary era, such as "Epitaph of Guo Xuji", "Epitaph of Wang Lin" and "Epitaph of Luo Wanshun", most of which belong to Yan Zhenqing's early works.
Yan Zhenqing wrote "Yunhai Jingyuan", "Liyue Collection", "Wuxing Collection", "Luling Collection" and "Linchuan Collection", all of which are lost. Later generations compiled his poems into 15 volumes of "Collected Works of Yan Lugong".
"Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty", "Supplement to the Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty" and "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty" also include his works.