Zhao Mengfu's Calligraphy Collection from the Stele of Dan Ba

Author: Shi Zhiwei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The "Collection of Calligraphy from Famous Stele and Inscriptions Series" has the following characteristics: (1) In addition to selecting model characters from the original stele and inscriptions, this collection also uses the radicals and components of the model characters, employing computer design to combine and compile a large number of model characters. It strives to achieve the rules and artistic spirit of the original model characters as much as possible, providing learners with materials for practicing and creating calligraphy. (2) All model characters are restored to ink tracings, making them closer to the genuine works of calligraphy masters. At the same time, they are moderately enlarged and marked with fine white lines to indicate the brushwork techniques, making them more intuitive and clear. This helps learners better understand the characteristics of the masters' calligraphy styles and improves the effectiveness of basic calligraphy training.
The "Collection of Calligraphy from Famous Stele and Inscriptions Series" consists of six volumes: "Collecting Ancient Poems from the Stele of the Nine Gates by Ouyang Xun," "Collecting Ancient Poems from the Stele of the Treasure Tower by Yan Zhenqing," "Collecting Ancient Poems from the Stele of the Secret Tower by Liu Gongquan," "Collecting Ancient Poems from the Stele of Dan Ba by Zhao Mengfu," "Collecting Ancient Poems from the Orchid Pavilion Preface by Wang Xizhi," and "Collecting Ancient Poems from the Stele of Shi Chen in Han Dynasty." This volume is "Collecting Ancient Poems from the Stele of Dan Ba by Zhao Mengfu," which includes a total of 23 five-character and seven-character quatrains, each accompanied by works (model pieces) and illustrated with exquisite images that closely match the artistic atmosphere of the ancient poems. In terms of both content and form, it is very suitable for primary and secondary school students and junior high school calligraphy learners, allowing them to choose their preferred calligraphy style and providing them with a relatively complete, easy-to-master, and progressive guidance for learning calligraphy.
Among the many surviving ink works of Zhao Mengfu, the "Stele of Dan Ba," "Record of Miaoyan Temple," "Record of the Repair of the Three Gates of Sha Xuan Temple," and "Stele of Longguang Temple" can be considered representative works of regular script. Among them, the "Stele of Dan Ba" was written in the third year of the Yuanyou era (1316 AD), when Zhao Mengfu was already 63 years old. The exquisite regular script in this stele is truly breathtaking. In terms of brushwork, it reflects his unique artistic style. The structure is spacious and elegant, with tight mutual responses between strokes, appearing soft and smooth externally but strong and rigid internally. The form is graceful, the bone structure is sturdy, and the style is both flowing and steady and powerful. Another reason why Zhao's calligraphy is so captivating is that he incorporated the brushwork techniques of running script into his regular script writing, which is also one of the main characteristics of Zhao's style.