Fine Examples of Small-Kai Script Through the Ages: Ming · Huang Daozhou

Author: Wang Xian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Huang Daozhou (1585–1646), a calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty in China. His courtesy name was Youping, sometimes written as Youxuan, with another name being Chiri, and styled as Shizhai. He was from Zhangpu (now Zhangpu County, Fujian Province). In 1622, he passed the imperial examination during the Tianqi era. During the time of the Prince of Fuzhou, he served as Minister of Rites, and during the time of the Prince of Tang, he was Grand Secretary of the Wuying Palace. He led troops in resisting the Qing forces and died in Wuyuan without surrendering after his army was defeated.
Huang Daozhou was a man of profound learning, skilled in astronomy, mathematics, and other arts. He was also accomplished in calligraphy and painting. His literary talent and moral integrity were highly regarded throughout the land. He was stern and resolute, not conforming to the ways of the mainstream. He authored works such as Yixiang Zheng, San Yi Dongji, Taihuan Jing, Xuli Sao, and Shizhai Ji.
Huang Daozhou excelled in regular script, running script, and cursive script. His regular script traced its roots to Zhong Yao, with bold and vigorous strokes, exuding an invincible aura. He advocated for a combination of strength and elegance, so while his regular script was as firm as cutting through nails, it still revealed a refined and graceful charm in its fuller strokes. Most of his surviving regular script works are in small script. His running and cursive scripts drew inspiration from Zhong Yao, incorporating the techniques of Su Jing in cursive script. Although he admired the calligraphy of the Jin dynasty masters such as Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi, he overturned the weakness and delicacy prevalent in the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Instead, he expressed the richness of the Jin masters through strong, pointed strokes and a square, balanced form. His cursive script features many sharp, angular strokes and fewer rounded ones, conveying a bold and unrestrained aesthetic.
Representative works of Huang Daozhou in regular script include The Classic of Filial Piety and Shizhai Yi Shi, while his running and cursive scripts include Mountains and Miscellaneous Poems and Poems for Cleansing the Heart.
This volume collects eighty-two five-character regulated verse poems by Huang Daozhou, showcasing his finest small script works, each with distinct personal characteristics. His calligraphic style is classical and simple, blending the upright and refined spirit of Northern Stele calligraphy. His strokes are strong and concise, making this an excellent resource for calligraphy enthusiasts to study and research small script.