Clear Ding Jing Lishu Notebook

Author: Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Ding Jing (1695–1765), styled Jingshen, styled Yanlin, styled Duding, also styled Tuanmeinong, Wanchasou, Ding Jushi, Longhong Shanshen, Yanlin Wai Shi, Shengdai Laoren, Guyun Shisi, etc. Born in Qiantang, Zhejiang (now Hangzhou). He loved bronze inscriptions and stone tablets, excelled in identification, and had a rich collection. Skilled in poetry, calligraphy, and seal carving, he drew inspiration from Qin and Han seals, incorporating the strengths of He Zhen and Zhu Jian. He carved coins using the cutting method, blending square and round forms, creating a bold, rustic, and unadorned style that, becoming the leader of the [Zhe School] and the [Eight Masters of Xiling]. The main text of the Lishu volume records the biography and anecdotes of Ding Jing's close friend Min'an, followed by a eulogy poem of over 370 characters in total. It flows effortlessly and is executed in one breath. The book is slender and strong like iron, changing like a dragon, with a dignified structure yet possessing a carefree and elegant demeanor. The calligraphy is skillfully aligned with ancient methods while also incorporating new innovations. Taking the eulogy poem as an example, the contrast between the left and right sides of characters like "Xuan" and "He," as well as the novel and flexible transformations of characters like "Zhong," "Yi," "Xi," and "Tao," make the entire piece more spirited. The brushwork contains both strength and sharpness, with the central-thickness brushwork featuring long and graceful strokes, and thin brushwork like "cones painting sand." The contrast in thickness between brushstrokes in characters like "Sun," "Lian," and "Ran" is particularly intriguing. The character "Shan" appears to be both seal script and clerical script, with every stroke dancing, and an unexpected upward flick at the end—truly miraculous and endlessly fascinating. Ding Jing's Lishu draws inspiration from Han dynasty steles, with profound craftsmanship. He studied from steles like the Caoquan Stele, Yijing Stele, Shichen Stele, Louhou Stele, and Xia Cheng Stele, with the Caoquan Stele being his primary model. The Caoquan Stele is "graceful, dynamic, unbound, and unrestrained," and Ding Jing benefited greatly from it. However, he valued broad learning and innovation, giving birth to changes. Seeking novelty, change, and self-expression were the consistent artistic ideas of Ding Jing.