Selection of Calligraphy by Famous Masters of Past Generations -- Song Emperor Gaozong's Calligraphy (Three Types of Calligraphy: Thousand Characters, etc.)

Author: Song Gaozong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: This book includes three calligraphy works by Song Gaozong. The first is "Thousand Characters," in running script, totaling twenty-two scrolls, each measuring 28 cm in height and 13.7 cm in width. The second is "Handed Edict to Yue Fei," in semi-cursive script, consisting of eleven lines with varying word counts, totaling ninety-nine characters plus one seal impression, on paper, measuring 26.7 cm in height and 61.5 cm in width. The third is "Seven-character Regular Verse," in running script, with eight lines of varying word counts, on paper, measuring 27.1 cm in height and 48.7 cm in width. Gaozong initially favored the style of Huang Tingjian, later adopted Mi Fu, but eventually abandoned both, focusing solely on the works of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. During his nineteen-year reign, periods of war were frequent, yet he was able to personally engage in calligraphy, diligently seeking famous calligraphy and paintings. He once stated that studying calligraphy must take the works of Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi as the standard, and only then can one develop variations and create one's own style. Observing these calligraphy works allows one to see his adherence to discipline.