Zhao Ti Tang Shi Calligraphy Manuscript

Author: Zhou Binshu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: Zhao Mengfu, styled Ziyang, was known as the Pine Snow Taoist. During the reign of the World, he served as the Academician of the Jixian Academy. In the reign of Emperor Renzong, he was appointed as the Chief Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, the Lord of Honor, and was known as "Zhao Chengzhi." After his death, he was posthumously honored as the Duke of Wei and posthumously titled Wenmin.
Zhao Mengfu possessed profound and extensive knowledge, excelling in politics, economy, justice, poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting. He was particularly skilled in calligraphy. The History of the Yuan Dynasty records: "Zhao Mengfu excelled in all scripts— Seal, Clerical, Cursive, Running, and Regular—surpassing all ancient and modern masters, thus gaining fame for his calligraphy."
In his early years, he studied under Emperor Song, and in his middle age, he learned from Zhong Yao. To master large characters, he later studied Li Yong and Liu Gongquan. He extensively copied and learned from ancient masters, accumulating a wealth of traditional techniques. His calligraphy demonstrated meticulous structure, fluid and graceful brushwork, and a clear, elegant, and vigorous style, marking a departure from the calligraphic trends of the Song Dynasty. His mastery in copying could be compared to Mi Fu, renowned for his collection of ancient scripts. As the leader of Yuan Dynasty calligraphy, he synthesized the ancient techniques of the Jin and Tang dynasties and mastered all scripts—Seal, Clerical, Cursive, Running, and Regular—especially excelling in Running and Regular scripts.
Zhao Mengfu's Great Supreme Original Dao De Jing is a representative of his small Regular script works, blending the roundness of his innate style with a dignified and elegant demeanor, truly unique in its style.