Appreciation of Liu Gongquan's Heirs-Famous Calligraphy

Author: Guo Yubin (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Liu Gongquan (778–865), a native of Huayuan in the capital of Tang Dynasty, styled Chengxuan. He passed the imperial examination in the early years of Yuanhe era and rose to the position of Taizisi (Vice Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent). He retired as Taibao (Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent) and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Hedong. He was renowned for his calligraphy, particularly his regular script. His calligraphic style was vigorous and elegant, forming a unique school of his own, and was celebrated alongside Yan Zhenqing, earning them the nickname "[Yan Liu]". In the Continued Book Critique, Lu Zong of the Tang Dynasty remarked: "[Liu Gongquan's regular and running scripts are like a heron avoiding a hungry eagle under a cliff]." In the Continued Book Judgment, Zhu Changwen of the Song Dynasty listed Liu Gongquan's calligraphy in the category of "Marvelous." However, there were also critics of Liu Gongquan's calligraphy. Mi Fu of the Song Dynasty, in the Sehai Mingyan, stated: "[Liu Gongquan learned from Ou (Yuan Fu), but he went even further, becoming the ancestor of ugly and clumsy calligraphy."