Pen technique, structure, and layout of the Northern Wei "Zhang Menglong Stele"

Author: Yan Meiling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The "Zhang Menglong Stele" was carved in the third year of the Zhengguang era (522 AD) of the Northern Wei Dynasty, located in the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong. It bears no inscription of the calligrapher's name and is a stele praising Zhang Menglong. The calligraphy is vigorous and majestic. The Qing Dynasty scholar Yang Shoujing praised it as: "Well-refined and angular, with extraordinary and flowing characters on the back." He also remarked: "The calligraphy is ancient and (dàn - light, subtle), with a harmonious interplay of novelty and tradition, which is why the Six Dynasties surpassed the Tang in calligraphy."