In the history of calligraphy, Yan Zhenqing is the most accomplished and influential calligrapher after the two kings. Due to the rise of Yan Zhenqing, Tang Kai has formed a new style, which is another milestone in the history of calligraphy after Wang Xizhi. At first, he studied the "Cao Sage" Zhang Xu, Wang Xizhi and the early Tang Dynasty. Later, he learned from it and integrated it to form his own style. His regular script changed from the ancient method, and went against the elegant, thin and strong calligraphy style of the early Tang Dynasty. He used seal script to transform the thin and hard style into plump and powerful, with a broad structure and magnificent momentum, dignified and majestic and open momentum. Each stroke of Yan Zhenqing's regular script is like a human's muscles and bones, powerful and awe-inspiring, so he is called "Yan Jin". This style feature also reflects the prosperous demeanor of the Tang Dynasty and is consistent with his noble personality. It is a model of the perfect combination of the beauty of calligraphy and the beauty of personality.
Yan Zhenqing lived from the prosperous Tang Dynasty to the mid-Tang Dynasty. His calligraphy works can be said to express the vigorous power of the country during the prosperous Tang Dynasty on the one hand, and his own enterprising spirit on the other hand. Later generations often refer to Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy, Du Fu's poetry and Han Yu's writing as the "three wonders" of Tang Dynasty culture, referred to as "Du poetry", "Hanwen" and "Yan calligraphy". In the history of calligraphy art, when it comes to regular script, there are four great masters: Ou, Yan, Liu and Zhao, and Yan Zhenqing ranks first among them. People often mention him together with Wang Xizhi, the sage of calligraphy, and think that Wang Xizhi is the first in running script and Yan is the first in regular script.
Yan Zhenqing's regular script is unique in its own way. It not only has the charm and law of previous calligraphy styles, but is not bound by ancient methods. It breaks through the rigid rules of the early Tang Dynasty, establishes a new model of regular script, and creates a unique style and brushwork. , called "Yan body". His loyal and tragic deeds throughout his life have further enhanced his status in the calligraphy community. Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy is just like his character, with straight lines from beginning to end. This style of writing can give full play to the composure and fortitude of men. He was born when regular script was popular, and he was a typical example of Wang Xizhi, ushering in a new trend in calligraphy. The monument he wrote in regular script is upright, beautiful and powerful. His official writings have always been famous for their profound and powerful features, which are "destroying with sharp swords and stunning with flying momentum", represented by the "Stele of Yan's Family Temple"; " is the most famous; for the one that reaches the highest level and expresses the charm of harmony and distance, the "Li Xuanjing Monument" is the first to be recommended. He left many inscriptions, and later calligraphers believed that traces of "round pen" could be found in some of his inscriptions. Different from other calligraphers' "square brush", Yan Zhenqing is regarded as the founder of round brush calligraphy. Both he and Wang Xizhi, who used the square brush, had a profound and far-reaching influence on later generations.
His representative works include "Yan Qin Li Stele", "Duobao Pagoda Stele", "Magu Immortal Altar", "Dongfang Shuo Painting Praise Stele", "Guo Family Temple Stele", etc.