Tang Yan Zhenqing Bamboo Mountain Hall Linked Sentences

Author: (Tang) Yan Zhenqing
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This album, Tushantang Lianju, is on silk, originally a large scroll, later mounted into an album of fifteen leaves, with slight variations in size among the leaves. Written in regular script, with characters about two inches in height. It was composed by Yan Zhenqing at the age of sixty-six. However, it is also considered to be a forgery (as noted in Fuchu Zhai Wenji by Weng Fanggang). It is accompanied by an authentication colophon by Song Mi Youren and the Zheping seals of the Southern Song Dynasty. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of the collection of the Zhang family’s treasures. During the Ming Dynasty, it entered the collection of the Zhu Qian Jin Mansion and was later marked with the seal of Wang Shizhen. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was acquired by Liang Qingbiao and was included in the Qiubitang Tie series. It was subsequently passed down through collectors such as Anqi and Tie Bao. It was recorded in Moyuan Huiguang. Wang Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty, in Yanzhou Shanren Gao, wrote:
〖It is powerful, majestic, and occasionally exudes elegance. The brushwork is like that of a silkworm head and mouse tail, capturing the essence of true skill. Generally, it rivals the Jiamao stele, but as an autograph, it is far superior.〗
Anqi of the Qing Dynasty, in Moyuan Huiguang, wrote:
[The calligraphy is dignified in structure, with effortless brushwork, exuding a natural, profound, and steady aura.]
Weng Fanggang of the Qing Dynasty, in Fuchu Zhai Wenji, wrote:
『The large characters in this linked verse calligraphy, though resembling the style of the Jiamao stele and other inscriptions, already employ the ancient vine and hairpin feet in the strokes. This indicates that the artist was highly skilled in running script and applied it to regular script.』