Han Zhang Qian Stele

Author: Editorial Board of Selected Calligraphic Works from Ancient Stele Collections
Publisher:
Publishing Date: April 1, 1982
Features: The Han Zhang Qian Stele is one of the most renowned steles in ancient China. It was carved in February of the third year of the Zhongping era (186 AD) during the Eastern Han Dynasty and erected in Dongping, Shandong Province. The calligraphy of The Han Zhang Qian Stele is celebrated for its square and structured style. The brushwork is rustic yet powerful, with a strong and steady rhythm. The composition emphasizes squareness, showcasing robust and vigorous characteristics. The stele was unearthed during the Ming Dynasty. It measures approximately 317 cm in height and 107 cm in width. The inscriptions are arranged in fifteen lines, with forty-two characters per line, covering both sides of the stele. The top of the front side is inscribed in seal script. The original stele is now preserved in the Tai Temple in Tai'an, Shandong Province. This publication is a photolithographic reproduction based on the best-preserved Ming Dynasty rubbing, providing a valuable resource for calligraphy enthusiasts to study and practice.