Chinese Stele and Inscription Classics -- Wang Duo's Cursive Calligraphy of Poems

Author: Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-06-01
Features: Wang Duo, styled Juesi, also known as Songqiao, was a native of Mengjin, Henan. He was also referred to as Wang Mengjin. Born in the 20th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1592) and passing away in the 9th year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1652), he lived to the age of 61. He passed the imperial examination in the 2nd year of the Tianqi era and was successively promoted to the position of Minister of Rites. During the time of the Prince of Fuzhou, he served as the Grand Secretary of the Dongge. In the early years of the Shunzhi era, he surrendered to the Qing Dynasty and was posthumously honored as Chang'an. Wang Juesi was a man of extensive learning and also excelled in poetry and calligraphy. He was skilled in painting landscapes, orchids, and bamboos, and was proficient in the calligraphy styles of various masters. His calligraphy was renowned and comparable to Dong Qichang. Later generations held his works in high esteem. His bold and vigorous brushwork surpassed Dong Qichang in many aspects. His cursive calligraphy reached a level of perfection, and it is reasonable for the renowned modern calligrapher Lin Sanzhi to consider his cursive calligraphy as "the successor to Huai Su after the Tang Dynasty." The era in which Wang Juesi lived was still largely influenced by the artistic traditions of Zhao Mengfu.
This cursive calligraphy poem scroll by Wang Juesi is a masterful display of the expressive qualities of cursive calligraphy. First, its compositional structure is highly expressive. The lines are winding and irregular, interwoven and continuous, truly embodying the concept of "broken brush, unbroken meaning," with profound implications. Another feature of the compositional structure of this scroll is a departure from Wang Juesi's usual practice of wider line spacing in vertical works. This is primarily due to the need for horizontal balance in handscrolls, which cannot achieve the same sweeping effect as large hanging scrolls. As a result, the variations in line thickness and character size create a rhythmic composition reminiscent of small and large pearls falling on jade.
Second, Wang Juesi's brushwork in this scroll is exceptionally free and dynamic, reflecting his lifelong dedication to studying and mastering the calligraphy styles of the "Two Wangs" (Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi). He himself stated, "If calligraphy does not honor the Jin Dynasty, it will eventually lead to wildness." Therefore, the entire scroll exudes a bold and natural vitality, with a strong masculine energy.
Third, Wang Juesi's cursive calligraphy is uncontrived and full of ingenuity, seeking novelty in structure. Sometimes, he deliberately shifts certain strokes to create a sense of movement in the characters. For this scroll, to fully capture its essence, one must trace back to the foundational techniques of the "Two Wangs" and use their calligraphic methods to reinterpret the work. This will enhance the texture of the lines and bring out the scroll's profound, robust, and powerful style.