Some pictures of the inscription on Liquan in Jiucheng Palace
The inscription, with 24 lines1108, tells some interesting stories of Emperor Taizong during his summer vacation, reflecting the grand occasion of the prosperous Tang Dynasty at that time, but it has been seriously damaged now. One reason is that the age is really long, and the words are not clear after the erosion of the environment. Another reason is too many rubbings. Although the back has been repaired and a large part of it has been restored, it can't be seen completely, and even the sharpness between Ou Yangxun's fonts has been lost.
But judging from the only fonts, it is not difficult to see that the brushwork is very strong. Although the font is thin, it is still rich, and the brushwork is more subtle and tends to be solemn and rigorous. As we all know, Ou Yangxun's calligraphy is characterized by preciseness, which is also obvious in the tablet inscription of Liquan in Jiucheng Palace in Ou Yangxun. The difference is that because it is carved on a stone tablet, the lines between the lines are enlarged a lot and look clearer.
The inscription on Liquan in Jiuchenggong, Ou Yangxun is a rare work of Ou Yangxun, which is more sought after than other works, because the inscription is easier to copy, and because the font is relatively clearer, it is easier to interpret the characteristics of Ou Yangxun's calligraphy and is convenient for researchers to use. It can be said that The Inscription of Liquan in Ou Yangxun Jiucheng Palace is not only the peak work of Ou Yangxun in his later years, but also a relatively advanced work even compared with his life's works.
Brief introduction of Ou Yangxun When we apply for a job, we always submit our resumes. Imagine if our great calligrapher Ou Yangxun wanted to find a job, how would his resume be written?
Brief introduction of Ou Yangxun
Should I write that I am one of the four masters in the early Tang Dynasty and list my achievements in calligraphy one by one, or should I submit my works directly? However, he is the conclusion given to him by the four great figures in the early Tang Dynasty, which seems to be useless. Of course, in ancient times, you didn't need a resume to apply for an official position, as long as someone recommended it.
Ou Yangxun lived through three dynasties, namely Southern Dynasty, Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty. Of course, the imperial examination system was implemented in the Sui Dynasty, so Ou Yangxun can also serve the country through the imperial examination.
Ou Yangxun held many official positions in his life, all of which were related to etiquette or document compilation, which proved his accomplishments in literature and calligraphy. If you think it is wrong to be a civil servant as long as you have knowledge, you have to write well. If others don't know what you wrote, the book you made up is useless.
Therefore, Ou Yangxun, who is highly accomplished in calligraphy, still has great advantages. His masterpieces "Lanting Collection" and "Thirty-six Plans" are enough to make people look up. Besides these, Ou Yangxun is also good at inscriptions. According to incomplete statistics, there are more than a dozen regular scripts on Ouyang Xu's inscriptions. Of course, only four experts have identified them, but this is enough for many people to use for a lifetime.
Besides, everything else was forged by later generations, and it was also because people's words were popular.
Yang Shiqi in Ming Dynasty once commented on Ou Yangxun's calligraphy, saying that his brushwork was solemn and had a literati character, which was both elegant and disciplined in Jin Dynasty. As a beginner, as long as you keep learning, you will definitely achieve something.