Huang Mufu Seal Carving and His Chiseling Techniques

Author: Chen Da-Zhong (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-05-01
Features: Huang Mu-Fu (1849–1908) was one of the four outstanding masters of the late Qing Dynasty in the field of seal carving and the founder of the "Yi Mountain School." Known by the courtesy name Ling Shi, he was also known as Mu-Fu or Mu-Fu. He was from Yi County, Anhui Province. Huang Mu-Fu's seal carving style was influenced by Deng Shi-Ru, Chen Man-Sheng, Wu Rang-Zhi, and Zhao Zhi-Qian, particularly by Wu Rang-Zhi. "Seeking the seal beyond the seal" is a significant characteristic of Huang Mu-Fu's seal carving inscriptions. He was not the superficial imitation of ancient styles but sought to restore the original essence of ancient seals, directly capturing their smooth and exquisite beauty. This is a key feature of Huang Mu-Fu's artistic expression in seal carving. The seal surfaces strive for completeness and precision, clearly reflecting Huang Mu-Fu's reinforcement of Wu Rang-Zhi and Zhao Zhi-Qian's styles. Huang Mu-Fu's artistry embodies a blend of cleverness and simplicity, returning to simplicity and purity, with an exceptionally calm and composed demeanor. Amidst calls for change, he remained steadfast and did not blindly follow or act impulsively. Ultimately, his extraordinary artistic achievements shook the seal carving world. This book selects examples of Huang Mu-Fu's seal carving works, accompanied by illustrations for analysis, and provides appropriate textual explanations of his main characteristics, serving as a reference for beginners in seal carving or those interested in research.