Qing Wu Changshuo Seal Script Collection of Poems "Xiao Rong"

Author: Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House Editorial
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: A series of facsimiles of calligraphy by famous masters throughout history. This volume of seal script contains two inscriptions, each over 200 characters. The first is a preface by Zhang Bingshang, who writes: "Recently, those who practice seal script tend to study the Zoushu style. My friend Cangshi Magistrate has long been skilled in this style. The calligraphy of 'Xiaorong's Poem' exhibits an ancient and robust style, proceeding where it should and stopping where it should, without artificially adjusting the length to achieve uniformity. It purely employs the brushwork of Shizhu, as if one has truly grasped the essence of Shigudwen by studying it. I have titled this inscription and written a few words to seek advice from my teacher. I wonder if it is appropriate? Preface by Zhang Bingshang, Guisimi year of the Guangxu reign." According to the preface, this volume of seal script was converted from screen scrolls into booklets for easier appreciation by the collector. The conversion was done eight years after Changshuo wrote the screen, i.e., in 1893. This shows that Changshuo's early seal script had already attracted the attention and appreciation of collectors. Three years later, in the preface by Yuanhe Cheng Biao, it is further mentioned that the collector, Mr. Cuneng, was also a calligrapher who inherited the study of classical studies and excelled in various styles. He could be considered a kindred spirit of Changshuo. The seal script of 'Xiaorong's Poem' inherits the ancient and rigorous style of Yang Yishun, with a square-like structure, meticulous and precise, dense yet spacious, and seemingly clumsy yet hiding ingenuity. The brushwork is steady and reserved, strong yet, showing great skill. Although this seal script resembles Yang Yishun, it has alreadyed Changshuo's independent style. The first feature is its harmonious and powerful brushwork, concealing immense force in every stroke. The second is its odd yet refined charm, with a touch of elegance in its simplicity. The structure is more dynamic than Yang's. For example, the liveliness of characters like "Rong," "She," "Bao," and "Teng," and the freedom of characters like "Wen," "Jia," "Ru," and "Hu" all show distinctive features. During the same period, Changshuo's seal carving was in a transitional phase, producing many masterpieces. He skillfully mastered the interplay of senses. This volume of seal script, with its rich sense of stone and ink, is also related to the common threads intertwined with his painting and seal carving.