Cursive Classics

Author: Ma Jianong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book selects classic original calligraphy works from Chinese legal texts, printed in color. Some of the works are presented to the public for the first time. The selected ink rubbings include the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" by Feng Mo of the Tang Dynasty, "Draft of a Eulogy for My Nephew" by Yan Zhenqing, "Cold Food Observance Poem" by Su Shi, "Running Script Heart Sutra" by Zhao Mengfu, and "Running Script Seven-Character Poem" by Tang Bohu, among others. The content is divided into three parts: Overview, Plate, and Interpretation & Review.
(1) The Overview section includes introductions to the calligraphers' lives and achievements, as well as critiques of the selected works, accompanied by numerous historical photographs and color illustrations of ancient paintings.
(2) The Plate section features color-printed ink rubbings of the main text, posthumous inscriptions, and collection seals, along with selected enlargements and appreciations of calligraphic details.
(3) The Interpretation & Review section includes annotated regular-script transcriptions of the main text and postscripts, as well as collected historical evaluations of the calligraphers and works in the form of marginal notes or headnotes. Reading this book is not only beneficial for improving calligraphic skills but also helpful for calligraphic appreciation, research, authentication, collection, and understanding the historical legacy of calligraphy.