Selections of Calligraphy Works by Hu Zhonghu

Author: Hu Zhongshu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-03-01
Features: The renowned calligrapher Mr. Hu Zhongshu has published over ten types of calligraphy works in various publishing houses in Beijing and Tianjin over a decade ago, which have been widely disseminated both domestically and internationally. Currently, "Selected Calligraphy Works of Hu Zhongshu" is about to be published, and he has asked me to write a preface for it, which has presented me with a challenge. Although I am passionate about calligraphy, I only began studying it after retiring and have yet to master the art. To critique the works of a calligrapher is like "reciting three-character scriptures in front of a sage." Unable to refuse the repeated requests of my friends, I was in a dilemma when I suddenly read reviews by renowned calligraphers from Beijing and Tianjin. It struck me with clarity, so I will quote a couple of examples. The outstanding calligrapher, painter, and poet Wang Xuezhong was once a teacher of Hu Zhongshu and thus knows him very well. His comments are fair and sincere. As early as 1992, he said: "Hu Zhongshu once practiced small regular script by Wang Xizhi, Zhong Shaojing, Zhao Mengfu, Shen Du, Liu Chunlin, and others. In the solemnity, there flows a lively atmosphere, and one can still see the ancient methods of precision, subtlety, and elegance. His brushwork and structure are stable, and the traces remain clear, showing his mastery, which is the result of countless nights of diligent study." Recently, Mr. Xuezhong said in the preface to "Hu Zhongshu's Calligraphy of Wang Xuezhong's Prose and Verses" that Hu Zhongshu's small regular script has greatly improved and is a model for young people learning calligraphy. Mr. Mou Xiaodong, Zhang Guanghui, Shi Hongkuan, Professor Zhang Xiuyan, and others have all made insightful comments on Hu Zhongshu's calligraphy. This book not only includes his excellent small regular script works but also selects several of his large-character couplets in running script.