Prose Composition

Author: Xu Hongliu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Lu Jianzhi, born in 585 AD, died in 638 AD, was a native of Wu (now Suzhou, Jiangsu) during the Tang Dynasty. He was the nephew of Yu Shinan. He held the positions of Chaisan Dafu, Taizisi Silang, and Chongwen Shishu Xueshi. Initially, he studied calligraphy under Yu Shinan and later learned from Ouyang Xun. In his later years, he imitated Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. His cursive calligraphy was particularly elegant, ultimately becoming a renowned calligrapher of his time, equally celebrated as Ouyang and Chu. He excelled in regular and running scripts. He was skilled in imitation, though criticized as "proficient in imitation but weak in independent judgment," yet still achieved significant accomplishments. During his time, some also ranked him alongside Ouyang, Yu, and Chu as one of the Four Great Calligraphers of Early Tang (though it is generally said that the Four Great Calligraphers were Ouyang, Yu, Chu, and Xue). His and scripts were considered masterpieces, while his script was highly regarded. His calligraphic works have been preserved in very limited numbers, with most of his and scripts now lost. Based on the surviving 《》 and 《》, it is evident that his calligraphic lineage indeed followed Wang Xizhi's tradition. Therefore, his elegant cursive calligraphy and renowned reputation are well-deserved. Li Sizhen's 《》 notes that "Lu Shixue (Jianzhi) learned from Yu Secretariat (Shinan), who in turn learned from Master Yong (Zhiyong), both possessing a distinct style." He also writes, "Lu Jianzhi studied Yu's cursive style, surpassing it in technique." The 《》 is a manuscript without an inscription, attributed to the Western Jin dynasty's Lu Ji. It is believed to have been written by Lu Jianzhi. The manuscript is on paper, in running script. According to 《》, it measures 26.6 cm in height and 370 cm in width, with a total of 144 lines and 1,658 characters, including 1,566 regular script characters and 92 cursive script characters. The original manuscript is now preserved in the Taipei Palace Museum. Lu Jianzhi's 《》 is a masterpiece by Lu Ji of the Western Jin dynasty. Lu Ji was a distant ancestor of Lu Jianzhi. Lu Jianzhi wrote this famous work of his ancestor with great reverence, using his elegant brushwork to honor his forebears, hence the name "Double Perfection." This scroll exhibits an inner strength and an outward radiance, with every character like pearls and every stroke round and vigorous. Overall, the calligraphy shows slightly restrained structure, strict composition, and refined, elegant brushwork, clearly foreshadowing the running script of Zhao Mengfu. Calligraphers have regarded this scroll as a treasure, and it has been highly praised by calligraphers throughout history.