Song Huang Tingjian's Cold Mountain Master Qiong's Poem Scroll

Author: Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Fidelity to the calligraphy of famous masters throughout history. The calligraphy of the Song Dynasty emphasized "intention," where "intention" meant, based on the methods of the Tang Dynasty, transitioning from regular script to running script, pursuing individuality from common patterns, each setting new standards and forging unique paths, creating their own styles. Especially during the Northern Song period, calligraphers flourished, many of whom were erudite and dedicated to the art, thusing a new era. The "Four Masters of the Song Dynasty," represented by Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, and Cai Xiang, are outstanding examples. Among the Northern Song calligraphers, Huang Tingjian was the most individualistic and innovative. Huang Tingjian was born in the fifth year of the Qingli period of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song (1045) and died in the fourth year of the Chongning period of Emperor Huizong (1105). His courtesy name was Luzhi, and his sobriquets were Fuweng and Shangguan Daoren. He was known as Huang Shangguan and was from Fenning, Hongzhou, Jiangxi. Huang Tingjian was exceptionally intelligent and studious in his youth, able to memorize what he read at a glance. He came from a scholarly family, with his father, Huang Shu, a jinshi (imperial scholar) during the Qingli period, unable to hold office due to his integrity. At the age of fourteen, Huang Tingjian lost his father, and his family fell into poverty. His uncle, Li Chang, visited their home and asked about the books on the shelf, and Huang Tingjian answered without hesitation. In the fourth year of the Zhiping period (1067), he passed the imperial examination and became the county magistrate of Ye County in Runzhou. Later, he served as a professor at the National University of Damingfu, the magistrate of Taihe County, and then as a assistant to the imperial chronicler. In the first year of the Yuanfeng period, Su Shi saw his poetry and praised him greatly, believing him to be extraordinary. From then on, his reputation gradually grew. During the reign of Emperor Zhezong, he was summoned to serve as a compiler in the Secretariat of State. Emperor Shenzong later appointed him as an investigator of the official records and an assistant to the imperial chronicler. In the first year of the Shaosheng period (1094), Huang Tingjian participated in criticizing the new policies in the "Record of Shenzhou" alongside Su Zhe's faction and was demoted to the position of deputy magistrate of Fu Prefecture and settled in Qianzhou. In the fourth year of the Shaosheng period, he was further exiled to Rongzhou. After Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, many of the old faction were recalled, but Huang Tingjian suddenly fell into trouble and was stripped of his official position, exiled again to Yizhou, and later moved to Yongzhou. He died en route to his new post at the age of sixty-one. Huang Tingjian's life was full of hardships, with multiple exiles and periods of poverty and distress. His joys and sorrows, joys and sorrows, were all expressed through his calligraphy, especially his cursive script, which reached a level of perfection in his later years, achieving a very high realm.