Calligraphy Characteristics of Wang Xizhi's Preface to Lanting Collection

The calligraphy features of Preface to Lanting Collection are: the combination of rigid and flexible brushwork, flexible line changes, concise stippling, loose and correct book style, and the aesthetic feeling of respect, concession and comparison, which has become a model of "neutral beauty" calligraphy style. The calligraphy of Preface to Lanting conforms to the most basic aesthetic view of traditional calligraphy: "The style is not flashy, the quality is not wild, and the style is gentle."

Preface to Lanting Collection was written by Wang Xizhi, a scholar in Jin Dynasty in Zhu Lan Mountain, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. It is also known as Preface to Lanting, Preface to He Lin, Preface to Lanting Poem on March 3rd, etc.

In April 353 A.D. (on the third day of March, the ninth year of Jin Yong, 1667 years ago), Wang Xizhi, who was then the folk history of Huiji, and friends Xie An and Sun Chuo were drinking and writing poems in Ji Ya, Lanting, Huiji, Yin Shan. Wang Xizhi compiled these poems into an episode, made a preface, described the swimming event, and expressed the inner feelings caused by it. This preface is Preface to Lanting Collection. And wrote "Preface to Lanting Collection".

Emperor Taizong highly praised him. He once wrote a biography of Wang Xizhi in the Book of Jin, praising him as "perfect". I will also send copies to nobles and trusted ministers, and I will bury them with the original.