Clearance of Du Fu's poetry in Ming Dong Qichang's running script

Author: Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: In the history of calligraphy, two masters made contributions that cannot be overlooked. First is Dong Qichang, who enriched the spiritual essence of calligraphy, deepening our understanding of the ethereal and the divine. Next is Wang Dongling, who creatively expanded the formal beauty of calligraphy. Through the fusion of paper, brush, ink, and water, he expressed the layered texture of calligraphy with a unique rhythm. This album was created when Wang Dongling was thirty-three. The cursive script in this album inherits the tradition of the continuous, expansive cursive style of the younger Wang, with a flowing and dramatic, and a (vast and profound) brushwork. During the writing process, actual connections are more frequent than implied ones, giving it the charm of "pearls falling on jade." Each page features contrasting characters—some more student-like and others with dry, thirsty strokes—creating a visually dazzling effect. Wang Dongling (1592–1652), styled Juesi, also known as Juezhi, was known as Songqiao, Cixian, Shiqu, Luoyu, and held other titles such as Cixian Taoist, Yantian Fisherman, and Xueyan Random Scholar. He was from Mengjin, Henan. He served in both the Ming and Qing dynasties, experiencing the ups and downs of official life throughout his career. Viewing calligraphy as his "food, drink, and life," he devoted himself to it without hesitation, sacrificing emotions and desires. It was precisely this wholehearted dedication that led to his brilliant achievements in the art of calligraphy. This album captures the youthful Wang Dongling's vibrant and spirited essence. It is a private collection of overseas Chinese and is now published in a photolithographic edition for the reference and study of fellow enthusiasts.