Wang Duo's Cursive Calligraphy Scroll Collection. A Gift of Wang Zifang's Cursive Calligraphy Scroll

Author: Liu Canzhang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Wang Duo (1592–1652), styled Juesi, also styled Juezhi, styled Songqiao, Shiqiao, Ningqiao, and Xueshan. Born in Shuanghuaili, Mengjin, Henan in the 20th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. At the age of 14, he began studying; at 16, he entered the yanhui (local school); at 30, he passed the provincial examination; at the age of 31 in the second year of the Tianqi era, he passed the imperial examination and became a Shujishi in the Hanlin Academy. In the 11th year of the Chongzhen era, he served as Vice Minister of Rites and Academician of the Hanlin Academy, as well as a lecturer at the Imperial Academy and a teaching assistant at the Imperial Academy. When the Hongguang regime was established, he entered the cabinet as the second deputy prime minister and was demoted to the Qing Dynasty the following year. In the third year of the Shunzhi era, he served as Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently as Minister of Rites, overseeing the position of Academician of the Hongwen Academy and serving as the deputy chief editor of the Annals of the Ming Dynasty. In the sixth year of the Shunzhi era, he was appointed Vice Minister of Rites and deputy chief editor of the Veritable Records of Emperor Taizong of the Ming Dynasty, and was promoted to Shaobao the same year. He passed away in his hometown in the ninth year of the Shunzhi era and was posthumously honored as Wen'an. Wang Duo excelled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, particularly in calligraphy. He was proficient in all calligraphic styles, with his cursive script being especially outstanding. This collection includes the essence of Wang Duo's cursive script, showcasing his calligraphic styles from different periods. Wang Duo's cursive script style combines the techniques of the "Two Wangs" (Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi), incorporates the () techniques of Tang Dynasty calligraphers, and absorbs the influences of Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu, creating a unique style that elevates cursive script to new heights and has influenced Chinese calligraphy for over four hundred years. Wang Duo's cursive script is grand and majestic, with a dynamic and vibrant rhythm that exudes strong competitiveness and impact. His brushwork is exceptionally rich, primarily using the zhongduo (centered brush) technique, with eight directions of brushwork emerging. In circular movements, he uses returning strokes and sharp turns, emphasizing subtlety while enhancing the force and vigor of the brushwork.