Sometimes, we hear that when evaluating a calligraphy work, some words will be used, such as "Yan Gu" and "Dang Zhang Zui Su". Of course, this does not mean that there is a certain person's bones, but the essence of this person's calligraphy works. Two words describe four people, and one word summarizes the calligraphy characteristics of this person. So, who are the four people and what are their personalities?
The term "Yanliu Jingu" was first proposed by Fan Zhongyan in the Northern Song Dynasty. At that time, he only evaluated the calligraphy works of Shi, a calligrapher at that time, and called them "Yan Gu". He later used it to comment on regular script calligraphy. "Dianzhang Zuisu" is the collective name of Zhang Xu and Huai Su, two cursive calligraphers of the Tang Dynasty. Cursive script was formed in the Han Dynasty and entered its glorious period in the Tang Dynasty. Zhang Xu and Huai Su are the two most accomplished calligraphers among many cursive calligraphers.
Let’s first talk about these four great calligraphers from the time of their birth.
First, Zhang Xu. His cursive script, Li Bai's poems and Pei's sword dance are considered three masterpieces. At the same time, his poems are unique among Du Fu's "Drinking Eight Immortals". Wine and weeds must be the best combination in Zhang Xu's eyes. Every time he gets drunk, he roars away. He needs pen and ink when arresting people. His name is "Zhang Dian". In fact, not everyone can reach such a state. I think Zhang Xu's love for the art of calligraphy has reached a feverish level, even when he is drunk and unconscious. No wonder later generations call him "Cao Sheng".
The second Yan Zhenqing. He is good at running script and regular script. At first, he studied calligraphy from Chu Suiliang. Later, he studied under Yecao Zhang Xu and created his own regular script. Yes, he has learned Kuang Cao, but what he is best at is regular script. I can't figure it out. In fact, this also shows that the method is not static. Yan Zhenqing learned Zhang Xu's brushwork, but eventually transformed it into his own. This is called the inheritance and development of many of the things mentioned now. Yan Zhenqing is also good at poetry and prose, and has many collections of works. Unfortunately, they were all lost. Otherwise, if they can be handed down, they will be extremely precious calligraphy masterpieces.
The third Huaisu. If Zhang Xu loves drinking and writing after drinking, so does Huai Su. His real name is Qian, and he is a monk who has been a monk since childhood. You may not believe it. When he was ten years old, he suddenly had the idea of ??becoming a monk. His parents couldn't stop him, so he had no choice but to agree. This is probably the disciple chosen by the Buddha, a born Buddhist boy. Huaisu's cursive calligraphy is thin and natural, and can be said to be ever-changing. However, although there are many changes, it is true that it remains unchanged. At the beginning of his studies, he was still outside the orthodox calligraphy. After years of practice, he finally reached the pinnacle of cursive writing and became as famous as Zhang Xu.
The last one is naturally Liu Gongquan. He was the youngest of the four and served as an official in the court for seven dynasties. He's definitely a veteran. In calligraphy, he first learned from Wang Xizhi and then from various calligraphers in the Tang Dynasty. He absorbed the strengths of Yan Zhenqing and Ouyang Xun, combined with his own characteristics, and created his own "Willow Body", which is famous for its infinite strength and is as famous as Yan Zhenqing. In addition to many inscriptions and copybooks, he is also good at writing poems, including five "Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty" and one "Compilation of the Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty".
The so-called Yan Gu means that the Yan is sparse and vigorous, the stipples are tolerant but not lax, thin and light, and there is a kind of vigor in them, so it can give people a strong appeal. Zhang Dianzui and Su both like to drink. After drinking, they like to write like crazy. Presumably, only through this kind of drunkenness can they show their better "crazy" nature.