Selected Works of Qing Dynasty Master Zhao Ziqian

Author: Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Zhao Ziqian (1829–1884), also known as Tiesan, Yifu, Lengjun, and Wumen, was a native of Wuxi (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang) and a prominent artist of the late Qing Dynasty. He demonstrated creative expression in both calligraphy and painting, and his expertise was profound in epigraphical research and literary studies. However, what best represents the pinnacle of his artistic achievement is undoubtedly his seal carving.
Zhao Ziqian was an exceptionally talented literati seal-carving master, with a comprehensive artistic skillset. His early seal carving was influenced by the Zhe School, and he later conducted in-depth studies of the Qin and Han seal inscriptions, Song and Yuan red-seal styles, and the Wan School of seal carving. Inspired by Deng Shiru's use of various scripts in seal carving, Zhao incorporated the scripts of Qin imperial decrees, Han stele inscriptions, coinage, and mirror inscriptions into his works, with a wide range of sources and fresh artistic conception. His techniques were concise yet expressive, breaking away from the conventions of Qin and Han seal inscriptions.
In his carving of inscriptions, Zhao pioneered the use of Six Dynasties sculptures and positive-script inscriptions, opening up new forms of decorative inscription and exploring uncharted territory in seal carving. Pursuing "ink charm" in seal carving was one of Zhao Ziqian's major innovations. His seals rarely revealed the traces of carving, instead embodying a rich sense of ink and brush charm in the delicate green lines of the inscriptions.