Yan Qinli Stele and its calligraphy style

Author: Wang Xiaoyong (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-12-01
Features: The Tang Dynasty propelled the political, economic, and cultural aspects of China's agricultural society to an unprecedented prosperity. Nurtured by the fertile soil of the flourishing Tang era, the art world flourished with a myriad of colors and abundant achievements. Among them, the Tang poetry, representing the pinnacle of Chinese language art, and the Tang regular script, representing the pinnacle of Chinese calligraphy, constructed two monumental artistic landmarks that served as models for later generations.
Yan Zhenqing was an outstanding calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty. His upright and incorruptible character, unwavering loyalty, and noble integrity laid the humanistic foundation for his artistic creations. The perfect unity of moral character and artistic talent is the highest aspiration of traditional Chinese culture. Yan Zhenqing demonstrated through his life the spiritual pursuit and cultural quest of traditional Chinese scholars, establishing an illustrious model for literati and scholars.
Yan Zhenqing's contributions to Chinese calligraphy art include: transforming the elegant and refined calligraphic style represented by the Wangs since the Jin Dynasty into a dominant force in the art world, and pioneering a new realm of calligraphy characterized by solemnity without stiffness, fluency without frivolity, robustness, and grandeur. He significantly elevated and enriched the aesthetic value and artistic vocabulary of Chinese calligraphy.
The "Yan style" (Yan Zhenqing's calligraphic style), with its plump, strong, simple, and sincere brushwork, established an irreplaceable position in the history of Chinese calligraphy. Yan Zhenqing also became a master calligrapher and a founding figure in the history of Chinese calligraphy, succeeding Wang Xizhi as a pivotal figure in the development of calligraphic schools.
"Yan Qinli Stele" (full title: "Shendao Bei of Yan Jun of the Former Secretariat of the Tang Dynasty, Supervisor of Kuizhou, and Chief of the Upper Guard") is a representative work of Yan Zhenqing in his later years and a milestone in the artistic achievements of the "Yan style."
The "Yan Qinli Stele" features extraordinary brushwork and a robust structure, embodying the qualities of boldness, depth, and refinement. Itly showcases the stylistic characteristics and artistic essence of the "Yan style," earning great respect from calligraphers and admiration from scholars. The "Yan Qinli Stele" is an exemplary choice for those seeking to delve into the profound depths of "Yan calligraphy."