Commentary on Chinese Calligraphy Techniques

Author: Liu Xiaoqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: This book aims to comprehensively reflect the technical aspects of ancient Chinese calligraphy theory, with critical comments striving for dialectical, fair, and balanced perspectives—neither arrogant nor subservient, nor overly provocative nor restrained. Whether it concerns emperors, officials, commoners, or monks and nuns, and whether it pertains to southern scrolls or northern steles, the author selects what they deem reasonable and discards the rest. The book leans heavily on the technical aspects of calligraphy, and the selected illustrations are primarily for illustrative purposes. Interpretations may vary, as individuals differ in their perspectives. For those seeking advanced studies, this book may not be the most suitable choice. It does not cover all aspects of calligraphy, nor does it extensively explore the origins, history, identification, or evaluation of calligraphic works. Its focus lies on the technical aspects, approached from a practical standpoint. It meticulously gathers and selects essence from over one hundred classical texts, compiling over two thousand quotations from ancient calligraphers on topics such as methods, meaning, momentum, power, charm, spirit, form, and substance, as well as the aesthetic concepts and creative methods of predecessors.