Weibei Tang Poetry Calligraphy Manuscript

Author: Yang Yongjian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: Wei Stele, also known as Northern Stele, is a new script style that emerged during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. It primarily appeared in stone carvings of that time and is a general term for the calligraphic stone carvings of the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Qi, and Northern Zhou dynasties. It is an extremely precious cultural heritage in the treasure trove of Chinese calligraphic art. The Northern and Southern Dynasties period served as a transitional phase in the history of Chinese calligraphic art, where the Northern Stele and Southern Manuscript officially formed two major schools. A bird's-eye view of this historical period can be summarized in four key characteristics. First is the Northern Stele and Southern Manuscript. Second is the Northern Regular Script and Southern Running Script. Third is the Northern Folk and Southern Land. Fourth is the Northern Boldness and Southern Elegance.
Wei Stele, inheriting from Han Stele and paving the way for Tang Regular Script, represents the peak of regular script development and has had a profound influence on later generations. Kang Youwei highly summarized the artistic characteristics, overall spirit, and brushwork of Wei Stele, proposing the "Ten Beauties" of the Wei Stele script, namely: powerful vigor, lucid and mellow spirit, dynamic brushwork, bold and thick strokes, extraordinary and unrestrained demeanor, spirited and lively spirit, ample interest and satisfaction, profound and penetrating clarity, naturally formed structure, and rich and plump form. These reflect the aesthetic beauty of the Wei Stele in terms of (spirit and momentum), brushwork, and structure.
From its developmental process, early Wei Stele was predominantly square-brushed and square-formed, characterized by boldness, roughness, simplicity, and vigor. Later Wei Stele, influenced by the calligraphic style of the Southern Dynasties, gradually showed rounded and elegant traces in both brushwork and structure, combining both square and round styles. During the Qing Dynasty's revival of stele studies, a large number of skilled calligraphers emerged, with the saying, "Even a six-year-old child knows about Northern Stele," reflecting its prominence. Stele studies became a mainstream that rivaled manuscript studies, and its legacy continues to thrive to this day. The profound calligraphic knowledge it contains provides rich nourishment for calligraphers of all generations, making the study of Wei Stele a mandatory course for every calligrapher.
Wei Stele varieties are numerous and styles diverse, each excelling in its own way.