In calligraphy, what people usually call Ou style, Yan style, Liu style and Zhao style are named after the surnames of Ouyang Xun, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan and Zhao Mengfu, calligraphers of the Yuan Dynasty respectively.
The "Four Masters of Regular Script" refers to the four calligraphers Ouyang Xun in the early Tang Dynasty, Yan Zhenqing in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Liu Gongquan in the late Tang Dynasty and Zhao Mengfu in the Yuan Dynasty.
The first is Yan Zhenqing:
Calligraphy was at its peak in the Tang Dynasty. Anyone who came to regular script would be called Yu, Ou, Chu, or Yan. Yan Zhenqing is one of the most innovative calligraphers. Yan Zhenqing (709-785), named Qingchen, was born in Jingzhao Wannian (now Xi'an, Shaanxi). He came from a distinguished family and was the fifth generation grandson of the famous scholar Yan Shigu. Yan Zhenqing was an upright and upright person, and was known in the official circles as a righteous and righteous man. He was a veteran of four dynasties, but he paid no attention to the ups and downs of his officialdom. Later, he was ordered to recruit Li Xilie, the rebellious envoy of Huaixi Jiedu, who was killed by Li. Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy was learned at home, but the person who inspired him to change his calligraphy was Zhang Xu of Wujun. Because he was able to recruit from hundreds of schools and choose freely, the large number of letters he left behind is a testament to his skill. Every time historian Fan Wenlan mentioned Tang books in his writings, he said that "Yan Zhenqing of the prosperous Tang Dynasty was the creator of the new calligraphy style of the Tang Dynasty." Yan's regular script reflects the style of a prosperous age and is majestic; and his cursive style made Mi Fu of the Song Dynasty also admire this calligraphy. The reason is that those calligraphy letters were often written quickly in a state of extreme sadness and indignation. Readers can appreciate this from this article The taste. Emotion melts into art, and artistry creates soul. All excellent arts in history do not violate this principle.
The second is Liu Gongquan:
Liu Gongquan, in the 13th year of the Dali calendar of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty (778 AD) - the 6th year of Xiantong, Yizong of the Tang Dynasty (865 AD, aged 88 years. Jingzhao A native of Huayuan (today's Yaoxian County, Shaanxi Province), he was known as "Prince Shaoshi" in his later life. He first studied the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi and studied the calligraphy of Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing, and then developed his own regular script. Strong. Compared with the Yan body, the Liu character is slightly thinner, so it is called "Yan Jin Liu Gu". Mu Zong asked Liu Gongquan how to use the pen, and Gongquan replied: "Use the pen with the heart, and the heart will be straight." Mu Gong said. The change of appearance is just like his advice on writing. Zhu Changwen of the Song Dynasty said in "Mochi Bian": "Gongquan's official script and regular script are both the most exquisite, and they are beyond the imagination. The method is based on the appearance, and then adds strength and richness. "He first learned Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, and then read all over modern calligraphy, so he tried his best to change his military style, learned from Yan Zhenqing, and incorporated his own new ideas, so that his calligraphy avoided being thin horizontally and thick vertically, and became balanced, thin and hard, pursuing the The Wei stele is uncompromising, the stipples are crisp and straight, the bones are strong, and the structure is tight. Many later generations of calligraphers took Liu Zi as a model. He became a Jinshi at the age of twenty-nine and served as a low-level official in the local area. Later, he was accidentally seen by Emperor Muzong of the Tang Dynasty. As soon as his handwriting became a holy calligraphy masterpiece, he was summoned to Chang'an by the court. At that time, Liu Gongquan was already in his forties. His character was both strong-minded and meticulous, and his handwriting also revealed this part of his character. . Because of this, his reputation and status in Chang'an were improved, and the princes and nobles spent huge sums of money to hire him. Compared with calligraphy, there is still a slight distinction between calligraphy and calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty, which was flourishing for a while, but has since declined. Liu Gongquan's regular script is similar to Ouyang Xun's brushwork, which often intersperses some strokes closely, making the wide areas particularly open and the strokes fine. The sharp edges and corners, although the pen was written by Yan Zhenqing, are different from Yan Zhenqing's magnanimity and magnanimity, which makes him particularly heroic. Liu Gongquan died at the age of eighty. He served seven emperors for a long time, and finally died in office as the prince and young master. .
The third is Zhao Mengfu
Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322), named Ziang, was the tenth grandson of Song Taizu. He was a complex figure in the Song Dynasty. His descendants are serving as officials in foreign courts. Although he has a high status, he is not taken seriously. He is very depressed and only focuses on reciting poems and painting. He is a rare all-rounder in the history of Chinese literature and art, probably only Su Dongpo and Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty. Dong Qichang of the Ming Dynasty can be compared with him. In addition to calligraphy, he is also good at painting, proficient in literature, proficient in music, and familiar with Taoism. He was the first to combine the three talents of "poetry, calligraphy, and painting".
Not only that, there are also many artistic celebrities in his family: his wife Duan Sheng and his son Zhao Yong are both proficient in calligraphy and painting, and his nephew Wang Meng is one of the famous "Four Yuan Masters". Zhao Mengfu's calligraphy has the highest achievements in regular script and running script. The famous works handed down from generation to generation in regular script include "Dengba Stele", "Huzhou Miaoyan Temple", "Qiu'e Stele", etc.; in lower regular script, there are "Ji An Biography", etc.; there are many running script works, such as "Luo Shen Fu Volume", "Tao Te Ching" "(Partial) "The Biography of Ji An", "Second Fu and Postscripts of Chibi", "Thirteen Postscripts of Dingwu Lanting", etc. The most important feature of his works, whether in regular script or running script, is that they are neat and even. Gentleness and elegance are the main features of his calligraphy. Although he paid great attention to Jin people's calligraphy, the exquisite brushwork of Jin people's calligraphy was almost not reflected in his works; in other words, he greatly simplified the subtleties of Jin people's calligraphy. Despite this, his works are always filled with a noble and elegant atmosphere. This is entirely due to his profound knowledge and cultivation.
The fourth is Ouyang Xun
Ouyang Xun (557-441), courtesy name Xinben, was born in Linxiang, Tanzhou (now Changsha, Hunan) during the Tang Dynasty. From the official to the crown prince, he led Gengling and became a bachelor of Hongwen Hall, and was granted the title of male from Bohai County. Having read extensively about ancient and modern times, he can write in all eight styles, especially Gongzheng and running calligraphy. He first studied Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. He absorbed the regular script from the Han Dynasty and the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and created new ideas. His writing was strong, thin and hard, and his thoughts were precise and elegant. He became his own "European style" and had a profound influence on later generations. According to historical records, Ouyang Xun "Although his appearance was very ugly, he was extremely intelligent. He was good at reading and reading, and he was well-versed in classics and history, especially the three histories." Ouyang Xun, together with Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang, and Xue Ji, was also known as the "Chu Suiliang". "Four Families of the Tang Dynasty". Zhang Huaiguan of the Tang Dynasty's "Book Break" says: "Ouyang Xun's book of Zhenxing comes from the great order, and is integrated into one body. It is as dark as a spear and halberd in an arsenal, the wind god is stricter than Zhiyong, and it is less polished than Yu Shinan." "Ou Cunshi has many writings, including "Zhongnimeng's memorial calligraphy", "Bushang's calligraphy", "Zhang Han's calligraphy", etc., and his inscriptions include "Inscription on the Relic of Zen Master Yong, the Former Monk of Huadu Temple" and "Jiucheng Palace". "Liquan Ming", "Huangfu's Birthday Monument", "Yu Gonggong Monument", "Zong Shengguan Ji", "Fang Yanqian's Monument", etc.