Sun Guoting's Cursive Calligraphy of the Thousand Characters

Author: Xinglin Editorial
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The calligraphic characteristics of Sun Guoting's brushwork are highlighted by Tang Lu Zong, who described them as "Dan Ya Jue He," capturing the essence in a single phrase. His calligraphy exhibits a strong and vigorous brushstroke, capable of integrating both elegance and sobriety, as well as the artistic qualities of grace and strength. Sun's brushwork features a full, rounded, and dynamic impression within each stroke, with varying weights and subtle interplay, endless in transformation. As he himself stated: "A single stroke can transform at the tip of the peak; within a single dot, there are unique turns and twists in the brushwork." His representative works include the self-composed calligraphic theory Shupu and the cursive Thousand Characters. Shupu showcases a rich, mature style, resembling the momentum of a vortex and a swimming dragon. Within this work, he proposed the renowned calligraphic philosophy: "Ancient without deviating from the times, modern without falling into faults." Among the numerous works on calligraphy since the Han Dynasty, this piece stands out with its meticulous thought and concise expression, offering profound insights into brush control, manipulation, and application. It is a groundbreaking treatise in the history of Chinese calligraphy. The cursive Thousand Characters is written on a scroll paper, measuring 25.7 cm in height and 82.5 cm in width, and is preserved in the Liaoning Museum. It was created at the age of 38 by Sun Guoting, with a brushwork that is restrained yet powerful, subtle yet profound, elegant yet vigorous, flowing yet graceful, all executed with a single, unbroken breath, preserving the essence of the strokes. It serves as a model for learning cursive calligraphy.
Sun Guoting (646–691) was a Chinese calligrapher and calligraphic theorist of the Tang Dynasty. Known by the name Qianli, he was popularly referred to by his style name. Born in Fuyang, Wu Jun (now Fuyang County, Zhejiang Province), or sometimes cited as Chenliu (now Kaifeng City, Henan Province), he was a man of antiquarian interests and literary talent. He held positions such as Right Guard Prefect and Recorder of the Commandery. Chen Zi'ang composed his epitaph, praising his exceptional talent and lofty ambitions. However, his life was not entirely fulfilling, and he died suddenly in a guesthouse in Luoyang's Zhiye Village. Sun excelled in three calligraphic styles—regular, running, and cursive—with cursive being his forte. He was particularly renowned for his calligraphic theory. His surviving ink rubbing Shupu is his masterpiece. Other works attributed to him include the Thousand Characters, among others. Sun's cursive calligraphy is considered a direct lineage from Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. His brushwork is strong and forceful, rivaling the "Two Wangs" in intensity, with exceptional skill in copying that can deceive the eye. His influence on later generations was profound. However, some have pointed out his shortcomings, such as a tendency to rush in execution, resulting in repetitive patterns where each stroke appears identical, lacking sufficient variation. The cursive Thousand Characters is preserved in the Liaoning Museum, measuring 25.7 cm in height and 82.5 cm in width. It was created at the age of 38, with a brushwork that is restrained yet powerful, subtle yet profound, elegant yet vigorous, flowing yet graceful, all executed with a single, unbroken breath, preserving the essence of the strokes. It serves as a model for learning cursive calligraphy.