The Four Masters of Regular Script are the collective name for the four calligraphers who are famous for their regular script in the history of calligraphy. They are also called the Four Great Regular Scripts. They respectively refer to: Ouyang Xun (European style) of the Tang Dynasty, Yan Zhenqing (Yan style) of the Tang Dynasty, Liu Gongquan (Liu style) of the Tang Dynasty, and Zhao Mengfu (fǔ) (Zhao style) of the late Song Dynasty and early Yuan Dynasty.
The works of the four masters of regular script have had a profound impact on the history of East Asian calligraphy and painting, pushing our calligraphy art to a historical climax and laying a solid foundation for later generations of calligraphy writing.
1. Ouyang Xun (557-641), courtesy name Xinben, was born in Linxiang, Tanzhou (now Changsha, Hunan). His greatest achievements in calligraphy are regular script, with strong penmanship and unique structure. Later generations called him "European style".
Ouyang Xun of the Tang Dynasty: His regular calligraphy is rigorous and his writing power is fierce. He is known as "the first regular script in the Tang Dynasty". His representative work is "Jiucheng Palace Liquan Ming".
2. Yan Zhenqing (709-785), named Qingchen, was born in Jingzhao ten thousand years ago, and his ancestral home is Linyi, Langya, Tang Dynasty (now Linyi, Shandong). In the history of calligraphy, he is the most accomplished and influential calligrapher after the two kings. Yan Zhenqing (Yan Ti) of the Tang Dynasty: His regular script is dignified and majestic, with an open momentum, and is known as "Yan Ti" in the world. His representative works include "Yan Qin Li Stele", "Yan Family Temple Stele", "Duobao Pagoda Stele" and "Magu Immortal Altar".
3. Liu Gongquan (778-865), courtesy name Chengxuan, was a native of Jingzhaohua in the Tang Dynasty. He rose to the rank of Crown Prince and Grand Master, and was known as "Liu Shaoshi" in the world. Later generations called them "Yan Jin Liu Gu" and became the model of calligraphy in the past dynasties. His calligraphy is strong, rigorous and meticulous. In terms of character characteristics, it is famous for its thinness and strength. The regular script written in it has a strong and charming body and strong bones and legs. Running script and regular script are the most exquisite.
4. Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322): courtesy name Zi'ang, nickname Songxue, Songxue Taoist, native of Wuxing (now Huzhou, Zhejiang). He is good at seal script, official script, Zhen script, running script, and cursive script. He is especially famous for his regular script and running script, and is known as "Zhao style" in the world.