The World of Fu Shan - Transformation of Chinese Calligraphy in the 17th Century

Author: Bai Qianshèn
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: The 17th century was a pivotal period in the history of Chinese calligraphy, marking the transition from the "cliff-script" (ti) school to the "stone-script" (bei) school, with Fu Shan being a representative figure. Unlike previous scholars who studied calligraphy history in isolation, the author of this book, Bai Qianshèn, does not examine Fu Shan's calligraphy in isolation but places it within the broader cultural framework of the era. From the perspective of the development of academic thought, material culture, and print culture, as well as the perspective of the "literati refugee" sentiment stemming from the pain of the Ming-Qing transition, the author observes and interprets Fu Shan's life, as well as the academic ideas and artistic creations that arose from it. In attempting to reconstruct Fu Shan's life experience, the author not only provides a fresh perspective on this turning point in the history of Chinese calligraphy but also on the Chinese cultural world of the 17th century. For readers interested in various aspects of Chinese society during the Ming-Qing transition, this book is also a must-read. The English and traditional Chinese versions of this book were highly acclaimed by academic circles both at home and abroad upon their release, being praised as "one of the best works ever written on a single artist." The World of Fu Shan explores the evolution of calligraphy during this period through the lens of Fu Shan. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that this is not a biography of Fu Shan; the author views Fu Shan's calligraphy as a single branch of a painting, aiming to trace the source of the flowers and the soil from which they grow beyond the frame. This is a "history of the evolution of 17th-century calligraphy" viewed through the lens of Fu Shan, or a "history of 17th-century culture" viewed through the lens of calligraphy. The World of Fu Shan can truly be said to be a name that fits the reality.