Wang Duo's Cursive Script Scroll Collection: Cursive Script Scroll for Protecting Light and Respectful Elder Zhang

Author: Liu Canzhang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Wang Duo (1592–1652), styled Juesi, also styled Juzhi, styled Songqiao, Shiqiao, Ningqiao, and Xueshan. Born in Shuanghuaili, Mengjin, Henan in the 20th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. At the age of 14, he began studying; at 16, he entered the yanhui (local school for imperial examinations); at 30, he passed the provincial examinations; at the age of 31 in the third year of the Tianqi era, he passed the imperial examinations and entered the Hanlin Academy as a Cishiji (assistant scholar); in the 11th year of the Chongzhen era, he served as Vice Minister of Rites and Academician of the Hanlin Academy, as well as a lecturer at the Imperial Academy and an instructor at the Imperial Academy. When the Hongguang regime was established, he joined the cabinet as the second deputy prime minister and was lowered to the Qing court the following year. In the third year of the Shunzhi era, he served as Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently as Minister of Rites, overseeing the Hongwen Academy as the deputy chief editor of the A History of the Ming Dynasty. In the sixth year of the Shunzhi era, he was appointed as Vice Minister of Rites and deputy chief editor of the Veritable Records of Emperor Taizong of the Ming Dynasty, and was promoted to Shaobao (a high-ranking title) in the same year. He passed away in his hometown in the ninth year of the Shunzhi era and was posthumously given the title Wen'an. Wang Duo excelled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, with calligraphy being his most renowned achievement. He was proficient in all calligraphic styles, with cursive script being his most outstanding. This collection includes the essence of Wang Duo's cursive script, showcasing his calligraphic styles from different periods. Wang Duo's cursive script style blends the techniques of the "Two Wangs" (Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi), incorporates the () methods of Tang Dynasty calligraphers, and absorbs the influences of Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu. He created a unique style, elevating cursive script to new heights and influencing the Chinese calligraphy scene for over four hundred years. Wang Duo's cursive script is grand and majestic, with a dynamic and vibrant rhythm that exudes intense competitiveness and impact. His brushwork is exceptionally rich, primarily using the zhongduo (centered brush) technique, with eight directions of brushwork emerging. In circular movements, he focuses on returning the brush with sharp turns, emphasizing subtlety while also using sharp angles to enhance the strength and vitality of his strokes.