Yan Zhenqing's Record of the Immortal Ma Gu's Altar

Author: Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-08-01
Features: If the calligraphy style of early Tang was, then the style of mid-Tang was, advocating the beauty of "bone strong and spirit fierce, flesh abundant and force deep." After the Kaiyuan era of Tang, the characters gradually became fuller. Following the style of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi, early Tang underwent a transformation, integrating ancient methods into new ideas and creating innovative techniques beyond the old, thus opening a new chapter. This gave rise to calligraphers like Yan Zhenqing, Xu Hao, and Su Lingzhi. Among them, Yan Zhenqing had the greatest influence on later generations and was the most innovative, not overshadowed by the calligraphy style of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi.
Yan Zhenqing (709–7785), styled Qingchen, was from Linyi, Shandong Province, and the fifth-generation descendant of Yan Shigu, a renowned literary figure of the Tang dynasty. During his youth, Yan Zhenqing was poor and lacked paper for practicing calligraphy, so he used ink made from yellow clay mixed with water to practice on walls. He studied diligently and became exceptionally knowledgeable, especially in literature and poetry. He was filial to his parents and passed the imperial examination during the Kaiyuan era. Later, he was disliked by Yang Guozhong and was appointed as the governor of Pingyuan, hence the world called him "Yan Pingyuan." During the An Lushan Rebellion, Pingyuan was the only region well-prepared and remained intact. He was then appointed as the Minister of Revenue and Military Commissioner of Hebei. Under Emperor Daizong, he rose to the position of Right Vice Minister of State and was enfeoffed as Duke of Lu, hence also known as "Yan Luguang."
During the Dezong era, he was envied by the villain Lu Qiji. When Li Xili rebelled, Lu Qiji suggested sending Yan Zhenqing to persuade him, but Li Xili threatened him. Despite this, Yan Zhenqing refused to yield and was ultimately executed at the age of seventy-seven.