Yan Zhenqing's Collection of Ancient Poems from the Treasure Pagoda Stele

Author: Shi Zhiwei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The "Collection of Calligraphy for Copying and Creating from Famous Stele and Manuscripts Series" has the following characteristics:
(1) In addition to selecting exemplary characters from the original stele and manuscript collections, this series also uses the radicals and components of the original characters to design and compile a large number of exemplary characters using computer technology. This approach strives to achieve the legal and spiritual essence of the original characters, providing learners with materials for copying and creative practice.
(2) All exemplary characters are restored to ink tracings, making them closer to the true works of calligraphy masters. Additionally, they are moderately enlarged and marked with fine white lines to indicate brushstroke techniques, making them visually clear and easy for learners to grasp the characteristics of the masters' styles, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of fundamental calligraphy training.
The "Collection of Calligraphy for Copying and Creating from Famous Stele and Manuscripts Series" consists of six volumes: "Ouyang Xun's Ji Cheng Gong Collection of Ancient Poems," "Yan Zhenqing's Duobao Ta Stele Collection of Ancient Poems," "Liu Gongquan's Xuan Mi Ta Stele Collection of Ancient Poems," "Zhao Mengfu's Dan Ba Stele Collection of Ancient Poems," "Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface Collection of Ancient Poems," and "Han Lì Shi Chen Stele Collection of Ancient Poems." This volume is the "Yan Zhenqing's Duobao Ta Stele Collection of Ancient Poems," which includes 23 five-character and seven-character quatrains from ancient poetry, each accompanied by works (demonstration pieces) and illustrations that closely match the artistic atmosphere of the poems. In terms of both content and form, this series is highly suitable for primary and secondary school students and junior high school calligraphy learners, allowing them to choose their preferred collection and providing them with a relatively complete, easy-to-grasp, and progressive guide for calligraphy practice.
The Duobao Stele is Yan Zhenqing's work from before he turned 50, representing his early achievements in inheriting traditional calligraphy. The piece reflects his accomplishments in preserving tradition, incorporating the brushwork styles of renowned masters such as Wang Xizhi and his son, Wang Xianzhi, Zhang Xu, and Yu Shinan, as well as the spirit of seal and clerical scripts. In terms of brush technique, it primarily uses square strokes, with occasional round strokes. Horizontal strokes are generally thin, while vertical strokes are thick, with clear contrasts but balanced in relation to each other. Horizontal strokes often begin with a direct downward stroke, followed by a square cut-off and a light transition, a slight pause to the right below, forming a heavy ink dot, and finally a return stroke to conclude. The side vertical strokes follow the brushwork styles of Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan, appearing in a facing-away formation. At the turns, slight pauses are added before the stroke bends downward, with very few rounded transitions. In terms of structure, the piece is upright, balanced, strong, and refined.