Eyuang Tongdao's Stele for the Venerable Master

Author: (Tang) Ouyang Tong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-01
Features: "The Stele of Master Daoyin," in regular script, written by Ouyang Tong of the Tang Dynasty. Ouyang Tong (c. ?–6991), from Tanzhou Linxiang (now Changsha, Hunan), was the fourth son of Ouyang Xun. His courtesy name was Tongshi. He held various high-ranking positions, including Director of the Chancellery, Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, and Envoys, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Bohai. Later, he was executed for opposing Wu Chengsi's appointment as Crown Prince. He learned calligraphy from his father and surpassed him in power and sharpness. The father and son were renowned, often referred to as the "Big and Small Ouyangs," and were important calligraphers in the early Tang Dynasty. "The Stele of Master Daoyin" was carved in 663 during the Longshuo era of the Tang Dynasty. It was composed by Li Yan and written by Ouyang Tong. The stele comprises 34 lines, with 73 characters per line. The stele is well-preserved and currently housed in the Xi'an Stele Forest. Its brushwork is vigorous and perilous, combining the features of clerical and cursive scripts, making it one of his representative works. Wang Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty commented on his calligraphy, "The Stele of Master Daoyin resembles a sick Vimalakirti, a nobleman of high integrity but lacking wealth. Though not lavish, his expression carries the aura of wind and frost, making it highly valuable." Yang Shujing's "Record of Stele Appreciation" praised the stele as "towering and formidable, like the spears and pikes in a weapons arsenal."