Sun Jiaoxuan's Birthday Greetings for His 90th Birthday

Author: Shen Yinmo Calligraphy
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Shen Yinmo (1883-1971) was originally named Junmo, styled Zhong, later changed his name to Yinmo, and adopted the sobriquets Qiuming and Pogua. He was from Wuxing, Zhejiang, and was a fellow native of Zhao Mengfu. One of the most renowned calligraphers in modern China. In fact, Shen Yinmo initially gained fame for his poetry and was a key figure in the May Fourth New Culture Movement. At the age of 30, he became a professor at Peking University, associating with prominent figures of the time. He began studying calligraphy in his youth and had already established a reputation locally. However, when Chen Duxiu saw one of Shen Yinmo's poems, he remarked, "The poetry is excellent, but the calligraphy is vulgar in its bones." After this, Shen Yinmo devoted himself to diligent calligraphy practice, continuing for two or three years, which transformed his style. Shen Yinmo was known for his mastery of model scripts, but he also put in hard work with stone inscriptions. At around 50, he focused on running script and cursive script, studying from Mi Nan Gong to Shi Zhiyong, Yu Shilang, and Chu Suiliang, tracing back to the Two Wangs. He also extensively studied famous calligraphic works in the Forbidden City, greatly broadening his horizons. This was a critical period in Shen Yinmo's calligraphic career. His calligraphy improved significantly, and his elegant and refined personal style began to take shape. At the age of 51, he held his first solo exhibition, followed by nearly annual exhibitions thereafter, gaining fame across the country and earning substantial income. While practicing calligraphy, Shen Yinmo also deeply studied calligraphic theory. He combined his own experiences in learning calligraphy to popularize the theory, achieving widespread influence. After the liberation, Shen Yinmo actively engaged in the education and popularization of calligraphic art, training many accomplished calligraphers. Many of Shen Yinmo's disciples remain active in Shanghai's calligraphy scene to this day. This piece features well-structured, rigorous calligraphy with an expansive and spirited aura, deeply embodying the majestic and broad spirit of Chu Suiliang. It is neither rigid nor strange, elegant and smooth, with a healthy and refined vitality, truly substantial. Thus, the work is powerful yet graceful, composed and flowing, clear and delicate, exquisitely beautiful.