Analysis of the Error of "Calligraphy Quality Is Personal Character"--Also Discussing the Determinants of Calligraphy Quality
Criticism of calligraphy is a serious academic issue. Appreciative and creative activities serve as guides. Although there are many controversies about the evaluation or judgment of art and artworks, it is generally believed that artists should not only have rich emotions, but also master the skills to express emotions. As a product of the artist's creative activities, artwork should be an expression of his emotions. Calligraphy is a unique traditional art in China, but as an art, it should have its own basic rules that are independent and consistent with the universal principles of artistic aesthetics. Today's calligraphy aesthetic standards are still relatively confusing. Such as. These propositional views, which are neither scientific nor rigorous, such as "the quality of a calligraphy is a person's character" and "the words are like the person", have long been recognized by some calligraphy critics, causing calligraphy students and enthusiasts to have doubts about the art of calligraphy and their understanding of the art of calligraphy. The normal unfolding of the evaluation has adverse effects. Many researchers have elaborated on this point of view and the "paradox" it caused, and pointed out many examples that are inconsistent with this point of view. However, the expression of the relationship between book quality and character and the complicated historical background are not important for It still seems not firm enough to deny this proposition. This article starts from the history of calligraphy criticism and analyzes the meaning of the two concepts of "character" and "calligraphy quality" and the evolution of their relationship. Then analyze and discuss the error of this proposition and its negative impact. Finally, this article discusses the correct way to improve the taste of calligraphy based on the formation process of calligraphy works, and then provides a guide for learning the art of calligraphy. 0 k3 F+ B4 {9 V# i" W
1. The concept of character and book quality and the evolution of their relationship 5 P- w( P. ~1 H; |7 N7 o
When criticizing calligraphers in the past dynasties, they usually also commented on the person. Some tried to point out a certain relationship between the calligraphy quality and the character of the calligrapher, and concluded that "the quality of a calligraphy is the quality of a calligrapher's work." The proposition of "human character" is used to judge the art of calligraphy. However, it cannot explain many objective facts, which leads to the emergence of the counter-proposition that "the quality of books is not human character". The reasons for this misunderstanding are, in addition to the aesthetic subject In addition to the subjective psychological factors, the uncertainty of the concept may be the crux of it - @' T: l+ q7 q0 }2 I b* B
(1) The concept of character 4 w! f6 o M4 R6 }9 P
Character is explained in the "Modern Chinese Dictionary" as "human quality", and in spoken language it also refers to "human appearance", without the latter, it is only human. Quality can refer to many characteristics such as innate temperament, acquired cultivation, and ideological and moral conduct in life. Investigation has found that the intrinsic meaning of "character" is different in different historical periods. , and it is related to the talent selection system and social customs. But in terms of specific character comments, the character reference is not necessarily consistent with the times. Commenter 2 M* ~: y) E/ J; N1 z. G
In different occasions and language backgrounds, character may have different directions. For the convenience of further analysis, the explanation of character is simply divided into the following three different forms.
1. The Theory of Virtue, Talent and Character' ^8 K% h# T0 I
Ban Gu classified historical figures in "Hanshu? Ancient and Modern People". Based on Confucianism, Ban Gu classified them according to wisdom, talent, learning, and morality. According to standards such as conduct, people are divided into nine categories: upper, upper, upper, lower, upper, middle, lower, middle, lower, lower, lower, and lower. This is the so-called "nine grades of people." It can be seen that character. This refers to the comprehensive characteristics of the characters in the two main aspects of "wisdom, talent, learning" and "moral conduct". Drawing on this classification, Cao Wei adopted the "nine-grade Zhongzheng system" to select talents. After Cao Cao, Cao Pi continued the previous system and established ". "The Law of Nine Rank Officials" as the official selection system. Simply put, character has two meanings here: "morality" and "talent".: @* Z% f2 [' e
2 ．The theory of talent and character! ~ J4 w2 h1 T! m/ s4 j7 {+ |
The style of personal affairs since the Han and Wei dynasties has been extensively recorded in Shishuo Xinyu during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. But at this time, "character" seems to be limited to the "natural talent" in the aesthetic category of a character, which mainly refers to the character's temperament, temperament, and cultivation. 7] For example, "Ji Zihun, Qi Guangguang, Kangzi." Shao, Qingyuan Yazheng; Tao Zijian, dredging and high quality.
This type of description actually refers to a person's temperament, temperament, self-cultivation and other comprehensive characteristics with aesthetic meaning. The reason may be related to the transformation of the Nine-Rank Zhongzheng System. Due to the use of the rulers and the expansion of the power of the clan, the critics were gradually manipulated by a few nobles. In the end, they only focused on their birth, regardless of their virtues and talents, and became a tool for the aristocratic families to consolidate their privileges. A large number of outstanding people with lofty ideals have been excluded from official careers, and their achievements and contributions mainly lie in culture and art. In view of the close connection between the style and attainments of culture and art and personal temperament and talents, the corresponding character naturally focuses on people's natural talents. * X$ q% H, G2 h1 r" A; \
3, moral character theory 1 }" ^% B( @0 Most of them were selected from the children of powerful people from all over the country. Regardless of their merits, many people with real talents and talents could not serve as high-ranking officials in the central and local governments. The imperial examination was a system for selecting officials through examinations in the feudal dynasties of the Sui Dynasty. It took more than 1,300 years until the exam. Perhaps because the imperial examination system has realized the evaluation of people's intelligence and talents, character has gradually separated and evolved into the concept of moral categories. Today, in general. "Character" refers to a person's moral quality, which is the attitude and way a person behaves in the world. From a utility perspective, it may promote or hinder the happiness of individuals and society. Honesty, fairness, prudence, Qualities such as integrity, positivity, perseverance, and humility are beneficial to social happiness and harmony. On the contrary, qualities such as hypocrisy, favoritism, rudeness, corruption, negativity, cowardice, and arrogance will have negative effects.