(1) Pre-Qin calligraphy that laid the foundation for Chinese calligraphy
Oracle bone inscriptions were discovered in 1899 (the 25th year of Guangxu’s reign in the Qing Dynasty). It is a text inscribed on turtle bones, animal bones, and human bones during the Yin and Shang Dynasties to record divination, sacrifices and other activities. Strictly speaking, only when it comes to oracle bone inscriptions can it be called calligraphy. Because oracle bone inscriptions already have the three basic elements of Chinese calligraphy: pen use, word knotting, and composition. However, not all previous pictorial symbols have these three elements.
Bronze inscriptions refer to the characters (also called inscriptions) cast or engraved on ancient bronze vessels. The main representative is the "Mao Gong Tripod Inscription" of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Its structure is well-proportioned and accurate, the lines are strong and steady, the layout is appropriate, and it is full of rich content. The rational color shows that the bronze inscriptions have developed to an extremely mature state.
(2) The pioneering calligraphy of the Qin Dynasty
Qin Shihuang annexed the world, and Prime Minister Li Si presided over the unification of the national writing system and made it uniform. This was a great achievement in the history of Chinese culture.
The characters written after the unification of the Qin Dynasty are called Qin seal scripts, also called Xiao seal scripts. They are based on bronze inscriptions and stone drum inscriptions, deleting the complex and simplifying them. The emergence of official script is a great progress in Chinese character writing and a revolution in calligraphy. , not only made Chinese characters tend to be square and upright, but also broke through the single center stroke in brushwork, laying the foundation for various calligraphy schools in the future.
(3) The Han Dynasty when official script flourished
The main representative works of this period include "Mawangdui Silk Script", which was unearthed in 1973 from the Han Dynasty Tomb No. 3 in Mawangdui, Changsha, Hunan. It is the first-hand material for studying the calligraphy of the Western Han Dynasty, and it solves the controversial issue of whether there is official script in the Western Han Dynasty. The writing style of "Mawangdui Silk Script" is calm and strong, giving people a sense of subtlety and roundness. Its composition is also unique. It is different from simple scripts and stone carvings. It has lines and horizontal lines, and the length is very free. There is a strong sense of jumping rhythm. Generally speaking, it reflects the character characteristics of the transition stage from seal script to official script.
(4) Wei and Jin calligraphy that completed the evolution of calligraphy
This remarkable era in the history of calligraphy created two majestic calligraphy innovators - Zhong Yao. , Wang Xizhi.
(5) Calligraphy of the Southern and Northern Dynasties where folk calligraphers showed their talents
Zhiyong (Southern Dynasties - Sui and Tang Dynasties) was the main calligrapher in this period. He was the seventh-generation grandson of Wang Xizhi. His main works include : "The Thousand-Character Essay".
(6) The Tang Dynasty when calligraphy flourished
The culture of the Tang Dynasty was profound, profound and brilliant, reaching the highest peak of Chinese feudal culture. It can be said that "calligraphy reached its peak in the early Tang Dynasty." "The calligraphy of the Tang Dynasty as a whole is both inheritance and innovation from the previous generation. Calligraphers in the early Tang Dynasty include Yu Shinan, Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang, etc., and later creative calligraphers include Li Yong, Zhang Xu, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, and Shi Huaisu. Tang Taizong Li Shimin and the poet Li Bai are also great calligraphers worth mentioning. The development of regular script, running script, and cursive script has entered a new realm in the Tang Dynasty. The characteristics of the era are very prominent, and the impact on future generations far exceeds any previous era
(7) The Five Dynasties that retain the legacy of the Tang Dynasty Calligraphy
During the Five Dynasties, Yang Ning’s style was worthy of praise in calligraphy. His calligraphy was a mainstay during the Five Dynasties when calligraphy was in decline. In addition to Master Yang, there are also accomplished calligraphers such as Li Yu and Yan Xiu. At this point, the upright and rigorous calligraphy style of the Tang Dynasty had ceased and gradually turned into a casual style. Later, the "Four Schools" of the Northern Song Dynasty followed and set off a new wave of the times.
(8) Calligraphy in the Song Dynasty where calligraphy was popular
The four great masters of calligraphy in the Song Dynasty who were highly praised by later generations include Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu and Cai Xiang. Outside the four schools, Song Huizong and Zhao Ji are unique and can also be called Dao
(9) Yuan Dynasty calligraphy of Zong, Tang, Zong and Jin
(10) Ming Dynasty calligraphy from Song and Yuan Dynasties to Jin and Tang Dynasties
The above is a brief history of the development of ancient Chinese calligraphy. As descendants of Yan and Huang, we should all have an understanding of this unique art category in our country.