Full-color history of Chinese calligraphy art

Author: Liu Shou'an
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The first book in China written for ordinary people about full-color calligraphy art history; a light-hearted read that enhances life taste and strengthens artistic cultivation; presents rich artistic knowledge in plain and lucid language; 550 exquisite color illustrations allow you to directly appreciate China's most famous calligraphy works; lively columns and block structure make reading a delightful experience! This book starts from the era of oracle bone script when Chinese characters had entered a relatively mature stage and extends to the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over these 3,000 years, Chinese characters underwent a transformation from ancient scripts to modern scripts, progressing through Great Seal, Small Seal, Clerical Script, and Regular Script, as well as the creation and use of Cao Script and Running Script. During this period, oracle bone, bronze inscriptions, bamboo and silk slips, stone inscriptions, and paper writings appeared successively, showcasing diverse styles and colors. Calligraphers from various professions and backgrounds each demonstrated their artistry and led their own eras. The political, economic, scientific and technological, religious, educational, social customs, and development of various arts during specific times all had varying degrees of influence—direct or indirect, strong or weak—on the development of "calligraphy." The broader background of Chinese culture is the condition and soil for the birth and development of "Chinese calligraphy." The mutual influence between different cultural forms constitutes the mechanism and driving force behind the development of Chinese calligraphy. The unique way of thinking and aesthetic consciousness of the Chinese people fundamentally determine the form and changes of Chinese character strokes. The powerful and multifaceted practical functions of Chinese character writing, combined with its distinctive aesthetic value, ensure its irreplaceable and important role in social life.