Bright yellow Dao Zhou copies Wang Xizhi's Oath at the Tomb

Author: Wang Ziqiang
Responsibility:
Publisher: Xiling Art Press
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: Huang Daozhou (1585-1646), styled Youxuan, styled Shizhai. Born in Zhangpu (now Zhangpu County, Fujian Province). He passed the imperial examination in Tianqi 2 (1622) and was appointed Right Zhongyuan in Chongzhen 3 (1630) in April, but was banished to Guangxi for criticizing officials like Yang Sichang through memorial essays. During the Hongguang regime of the Prince of Fuzhou, he served as Minister of Rites. After the collapse of the Hongguang regime, he supported Tang Wang Zulong with Zheng Zhilong, becoming Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace and leading troops to resist the Qing forces. He was captured in Wuyuan by Qing troops and executed on Nanjing's Dazhong Bridge in Shunzhi 3 (1646).
Huang Daozhou was a scholar with profound knowledge in astronomy, mathematics, and other arts. He was skilled in calligraphy and painting, renowned for his literary talent and moral integrity, and was known for his stern and resolute character, not conforming to the conventions of the time. He authored works such as Yi Xiang Zheng, San Yi Dong Ji, Tai Han Jing, Xu Li Sao, and Shizhai Ji.
Huang Daozhou's calligraphy followed the style of the Wei and Jin dynasties, characterized by sharp, vigorous, and forceful lines. His running script, cursive script, regular script, and semi-cursive script each formed their own unique style. His brushwork was severe and angular, never conforming to the norms of the time, much like his personality. Song Qian in Man Tang Shuhua Bai praised his regular script as "especially refined, with a dense and elegant style, like a flying swan dancing with cranes, leaving one in awe." Wang Wenji of the Qing dynasty remarked, "His regular script's style and elegance rival Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi." Qin Zuyong described his running and cursive script as "superb in spirit and technique, deeply embodying the essence of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi."
Representative works of Huang Daozhou's calligraphy include regular script pieces like The Classic of Filial Piety and Shizhai Yi Shi, and running and cursive script pieces like Mountain Scenery Poems and Poems of Cleansing the Heart.