An Anthology of Ancient Fine Books and Inscriptions--Tang Dynasty Li Sixin Stele: Tang Dynasty Li Sixin Stele

Author: Xiao Cang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-02-01
Features: Stele of Li Sici, also known as "Stele of General Yunwei" in Running Script, thirty lines, seventy characters per line. Carved in the eighth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (720). The stele is located in Pucheng, Shaanxi. The inscriptions on the stele record the life and achievements of Li Sici, and are one of the representative works of the renowned Tang Dynasty calligrapher Li Yong. Li Yong (678–747), styled Taihe, was skilled in calligraphy, particularly in Running Script, and studied under Wang Xizhi. His calligraphy is characterized by strong brushwork, grand, and a tendency toward leaning and dynamic forms, giving it a natural and lively appearance. This rubbing is from the Northern Song Dynasty, with mellow and ancient ink color, and is meticulously executed. It is a fine example once collected by the modern scholar Zhang Wei.