Sima Guang devoted his life to history and politics, and was not proud of literature. He commented that "as for literature, it is not his strong point". However, his knowledge is extensive and profound, and he combines learning with writing articles, although he has no intention of writing for the sake of writing.
Sima Guang thinks that flashy poetry is useless. What he praises is plain and carefree poetry, which expresses true temperament and true self.
Extended data:
Sima Guang's main styles are official script and official script, and they are more than official script. The main features of the book are: clear strokes, regular and flat structure, and the horizontal strokes often contain the intention and shape of silkworm head and phoenix tail, which is obviously integrated into the tradition of official script.
The official script is not as old as Han Li and as beautiful as the official script of the Tang Dynasty. But its brushwork is sharp, transparent, heavy and stiff, and its structure is more vertical.
Although the font is small, it is full of energy, and the turning point is angular and rigid. The lines are connected by a straight arc, which is very beautiful in simplicity. In addition to the official law, there is also the intention of opening a mold. There is no fullness that is common in the Tang Dynasty, and there is a wind of anger but not power.
Sima Guang's achievements in calligraphy mainly benefit from his understanding and appreciation of calligraphy, painting and epigraphy. According to his personal thoughts, he learned from others' strengths, gathered strength, prestige, Jin people's connotation and Tang Jie's strength in one furnace, and formed a distinctive personal appearance and style, which is undoubtedly unique in the calligraphy of Song people.