Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy of the Dapota Pagoda

Author: (Tang) Yan Zhenqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-05-01
Features: There are countless Chinese steles and inscriptions, and many skilled calligraphers in China. However, due to the passage of time, many steles and inscriptions, including those revered by calligraphers throughout the ages, have suffered varying degrees of damage to their characters and wear on their surfaces. To provide the best calligraphy models for modern learners, our publishing house has specially invited scholars to select and examine some famous steles and inscriptions from various dynasties. They have supplemented the missing characters in the steles and cleaned the faded traces on the inscriptions, ensuring that the steles are complete and the inscriptions are refreshed. The key to practicing calligraphy lies in mastering the rules of brushwork, and calligraphers throughout the ages have each had their unique styles. To facilitate learning, we have attached diagrams illustrating the brushwork rules of different calligraphers at the beginning of each volume. Calligraphy is a unique art in which the author expresses spiritual beauty through the writing of Chinese characters. A well-preserved stele is like a beautiful piece of prose. Skilled calligraphers can even turn ordinary characters into gold, leaving a lasting impression. To make it easier for learners to read and write, we have proofread and punctuated all the steles in this set of Newly Compiled Complete Stele Collections, added appropriate annotations, and included the full text in simplified horizontal format at the end of each volume, bridging the gap between the past and the present. This way, the original steles serve not only as models for practicing calligraphy but also as fine works of literary appreciation. Our publishing house is launching five famous steles by renowned calligraphers for the first time: Ouyang Xun’s Stele of the Nine Palaces, Liu Gongquan’s Stele of Xuan Mi Ta, Yan Zhenqing’s Stele of the Treasure Pagoda, Zhao Mengfu’s Stele of Shouchun Hall, and Su Shi’s Pavilion Record. More famous steles by other calligraphers will be released.