Northern Wei Dynasty "Zhang Menglong Stele"

Author: Wu Huiping (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: This tutorial focuses on techniques, covering aspects such as strokes, radicals, structure, and composition in clerical script. It emphasizes making basic techniques comprehensive, microscopic, specific, and highly operational. The selected examples are highly targeted, and the accompanying explanations are concise yet to the point.
Clerical script is a calligraphic style dominated by static forms. Its strokes, radicals, and structures follow certain norms and have relatively fixed patterns. Therefore, many calligraphy enthusiasts regard it as the entry-level style for learning calligraphy, and many teachers also choose it as the primary style for teaching. Numerous calligraphers have practiced clerical script throughout history, leaving behind a wealth of clerical script relics with varying styles. This provides ample choices for later learners. However, the famous clerical script works that have had a profound impact on calligraphy history remain excellent models. Based on this consideration, this tutorial, Clerical Script Practice by Famous Calligraphers Through the Ages, selects eight works: the Northern Wei Zhang Menglong Stele and Zhang He’nu Mausoleum Inscription, the Tang Dynasty Liquanming Stele by Ouyang Xun, Yanta Shengjiao Xu by Chu Suiliang, Dabao Ta Stele and Yanqinli Stele by Yan Zhenqing, Xuanmi Ta Stele by Liu Gongquan, and the Yuan Dynasty Moyan Temple Record by Zhao Yu.
This tutorial focuses on techniques, covering aspects such as strokes, radicals, structure, and composition in clerical script. Its key features are:
First, enhancing editorial involvement. From the development and argumentation of the topic, the outline writing, the selection of authors, the choice of calligraphic works, and the design of the cover and layout, the editorial team participates in every step, actively seeking expert advice to strive for high-quality content for readers.
Second, improving writing quality. This tutorial emphasizes making basic techniques comprehensive, microscopic, specific, and highly operational. The selected examples are highly targeted, and the accompanying explanations are concise yet to the point.
The Zhang Menglong Stele is a highly mature work of Wei-style calligraphy. This stele uses only square strokes, with precise and refined lines. Its structure is tight, with a balance of novelty and tradition. When Mr. Qi Gong discussed the role of this stele in learning calligraphy, he famously said it is: "a tonic for strengthening the heart and bones."