Yan Zhenqing's Treasure Pagoda Stele

Author: Fang Chuanxin
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2004-04-01
Features: This set of calligraphy prints is another series of single-volume publications of famous calligraphy works from various dynasties in China released by our press, totaling 20 volumes. The selected versions are meticulously chosen, including Song-era rubbings such as Wang Xizhi’s Seventeen Pieces of Calligraphy, Collective Works of Wang Xizhi’s Sacred Teaching, Li Yong’s and Li Sixin’s Stele, Ouyang Xun’s Stele of the Nine Great Gates, and Ouyang Xun’s Stele of Prince Yu Gong; early rubbings such as Zhang Qian Stele, Cao Quan Stele, Yi Ying Stele, Yan Zhenqing’s Record of Ma Gu Platform, and Zhang Menglong Stele; and the unique Zhang He’nu Stele. Printed on 157g copperplate paper with color illustrations, these are the best versions for copying and collecting. The publication in this volume is a Northern Song-era rubbing. According to Zhang Yansheng’s Catalog of Fine Calligraphy and Stele Prints, it is recorded: “The world calls this a Northern Song-era rubbing, with fourteen lines of ‘Returning Glory to the Emperor’s Power,’ where the character ‘Power’ is intact on the left, and fifteen lines of ‘Pumping Wells Revealing Mud,’ where the character ‘Pumping’ is complete in its strokes.” After the rubbing, there is a postscript by Wang Wenji, who writes: “This stele was written by Yan Zhenqing at the height of his career, and traces of imitation are still visible. For scholars who wish to progress from the Tang to the Jin dynasty, this serves as a stepping stone. However, without a fine Northern Song-era rubbing, the sharpness and spirit of the brushwork cannot fully reveal themselves. In terms of the mastery of Wang Xizhi’s bold and elegant style, the profound insights achieved through deep study remain hidden. This is why Northern Song-era rubbings are so valuable—not only in their paper color and complete brushwork but also in their essence.”