Introduction to the Xuan Mi Ta Stele: Tang Dynasty Liu Gongquan's Regular Script: Tang Dynasty Liu Gongquan's Regular Script

Author: Jiang Yumin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: How should the study of calligraphy be approached scientifically? How can efficiency be achieved? This is an eternal topic. From ancient master-disciple teaching in book schools to today's universities offering specialized training, generations have explored and tried various perspectives in different settings, accumulating considerable achievements. Moreover, in the "calligraphy fever" of the past two decades, from children's palaces and cultural centers to calligraphy associations and university departments, as well as various lectures, training programs, and study groups, along with teaching levels ranging from specialized, undergraduate, to master's and doctoral programs, all have been fully practiced and experimented with in the Chinese calligraphy community. Currently, it is the best opportunity for calligraphy education and popular learning. The analytical approach and quantitative awareness demonstrated by the compiler in this series of calligraphy books actually align with the era's goal of vigorously promoting the "scientific learning perspective."
Liu Gongquan (778–865 AD) was one of the most important calligraphers of the late Tang Dynasty, renowned alongside Yan Zhenqing as the "Yan's sinews and Liu's bones." His style is vigorous and profound, with an air of integrity. Since ancient times, Liu's calligraphy has been considered the best introductory model for beginners learning regular script. Although the Northern Song dynasty master Mi Fu criticized Liu's calligraphy as "bad handwriting," he also admired it as a "deep mountain Taoist" whose cultivation was complete, with a clear and healthy spirit, free of any worldly dust. Generally, Liu's calligraphy is admired for its rigidity, with the Xuan Mi Ta Stele being particularly outstanding among his works. This series selects characters from the Xuan Mi Ta Stele, arranging those with common penwork and structure, analyzing various typical writing techniques to facilitate observation and learning for beginners.