Yan Zhenqing has opened up a brand-new realm of calligraphy: in terms of characteristics, Yan has a brand-new figure, strict statutes and great momentum. From the aesthetic point of view, the beauty of face and figure is dignified, masculine and artificial, and the beauty of number develops synchronously, which sets the rules for future generations. From the perspective of the times, the early Tang dynasty inherited the rest of the Jin and Song dynasties, but failed to stand on its own feet. As soon as Yan style appeared, the new style of Tang Doutan casting became one of the distinctive features of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
His regular script is contrary to the calligraphy style of the early Tang Dynasty, featuring brushwork. It is a typical example of perfect combination of calligraphy beauty and personality beauty. His calligraphy style is called "Yan Ti", which is also called "Yan Liu" with Liu Gongquan, and has the reputation of "Yan Liu Jin Gu".
Among them, Guo Bei and Duo Baota Bei are his representative works, but his personal style has not yet formed. He is refined, beautiful and handsome. Yan Bei is the first masterpiece of the old man. At this time, his vigorous and powerful personal style has been formed, and his works in his later years are represented by the more attractive Magu Mountain Xiantan.
From Yan Zhenqing's early calligraphy works, such as Pagoda Monument, we can see that it is closely related to folk calligraphy style. Sha Menghai and others also believe that the richness and dignity of Yan Shu comes from the inscriptions in the Northern Qi and Sui Dynasties. Sha Menghai once pointed out in his works that from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Sui Dynasty, the characteristics of genuine books can be divided into two types: oblique tight knot and horizontal wide knot, which have always influenced the Tang and Song Dynasties.
Chu Suiliang and Yan Zhenqing belong to the latter type, they inherited the official law and retained the official intention. Among them, it is subdivided into two ways. Chu belongs to Xiulang Tingting all the way, and Yan belongs to round strength all the way. The main spirit of Yan Zhenqing's original works comes from Mount Tai Diamond Sutra, Manjusri Scripture, Jing Jun Yinbei and Caozhi Temple Monument since the Northern Qi Dynasty.
This is related to the Yan clan. Yanshi is an ancient family in Qilu, and several generations have been studying ancient philology and calligraphy. The characters in Yan's works are closely related to the preserved remains of the Northern Qi and Sui Dynasties.
The above briefly explains several sources of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy, but it does not mean that there are only these sources. Yan Zhenqing studied under Wang Xizhi, Ou Yangxun and Yu Shinan. , not one by one analysis. He learned a lot of books, instead of being a "slave book", he really became a powerful "self".