History of Modern Chinese Calligraphy

Author: Zhu Renfu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1996-12-01
Features: This book is divided into two parts, with the first part containing six chapters and the second part nine chapters. The first part elucidates the development of modern calligraphy over a century, while the second part narrates the achievements of nine great calligraphers: Wu Changshuo devoted to the Shigudu inscriptions, Kang Youwei excelled in stele calligraphy, Yu Youren standardized cursive script, Shen Yinmo inherited the tradition, Mao Zedong inclined toward unrestrained cursive script, Cao Qiupu emphasized master-disciple relationships, Wu Yuru followed the style of the Two Wangs (Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi), Lin Sanzhi revealed spiritual elegance, and Sha Menghai was renowned for inscriptions. Over a century and a half, these masters each demonstrated their unique legacies. Additionally, the book discusses the calligraphic accomplishments of Yang Shoujing, Shen Zongzhi, Zhang Yuzhao, Zeng Xi, Li Shuchong, Tai Jingnong, Wang Juchang, and Xie Wuliang. Due to the custom of "not writing biographies in one's lifetime," the book can only briefly mention some living masters in the "Postscript," such as Qi Gong with his "thick and hard" calligraphy, Wang Xuezhong who advocated the "Canon System," Ouyang Zhongshi who taught and nurtured talent, and Shen Peng whose brushwork was as swift as dragons. There are countless masters and geniuses, too many to enumerate. The first part of the book discusses calligraphic history, while the second part profiles the great calligraphers, intertwining them to form a vibrant picture of modern calligraphy, thereby establishing its academic rigor and scientific foundation. Rooted in the social and political history of China, it highlights the history of calligraphic art. The history of modern Chinese calligraphy has always been intertwined with the modern social and political history of China. The confusion and hesitation during the social transformation after the Opium War, the radicalism and joy of the Hundred Days' Reform, the Xinhai Revolution, and the May Fourth Movement, the struggle for survival during times of national crisis, the destruction and stagnation during the "Cultural Revolution," and the revival and surge during the reform and opening-up—all left their marks on the evolution of modern calligraphy. However, the author ingeniously handles the relationship between political and art history, blending the chronological, biographical, and narrative methods of traditional Chinese historiography. The historical discussions in the first part follow a chronological order, while the "biographical discussions" in the second part adopt a biographical form, and the specialized discussions in the postscript use a narrative style. Moreover, whether narrating history, profiling individuals, or recounting events, rational arguments are woven throughout, strengthening the book's multidimensional perspective and elevating its academic quality. The text is complemented by an illustrated appendix, where the illustrations subtly enhance the text, and the text serves to validate the illustrations. The book contains nearly 200,000 words and approximately 800 illustrations, with the text and illustrations interplaying and mutually interpreting each other.