Zhang Menglong Stele - Enlarged Selection 13

Author: Wang Xueliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: The "Series of Enlarged Ancient Stele and Calligraphy Manuscripts" takes the commonly used stele and calligraphy manuscripts for basic learning as the blueprint, selects typical character examples, and organizes them by stroke, radical, structure, or different forms of the same character. It is supplemented with technical means such as character enlargement and stele flipping, making it the preferred calligraphy practice book or teaching reference for teachers. This volume is compiled based on the famous Northern Wei "Zhang Menglong Stele." The "Zhang Menglong Stele" is a representative of Wei calligraphy and has been highly praised by predecessors. Qing Dynasty's Yang Shoujing remarked: "The calligraphy is elegant and ancient, with a balance of leaning and upright, which is why the six dynasties were considered superior to the Tang Dynasty." Learning Wei calligraphy by starting with this stele can cultivate a majestic, refined, and magnificent style, naturally achieving a high and ancient artistic level. Due to the less refined carving of Northern Wei steles compared to Tang steles, with visible tool marks and natural weathering, a unique stone and metal beauty different from the ink traces of traditional style calligraphy is produced. Therefore, practicing Wei calligraphy has two approaches: one is to analyze the brushwork through the tool marks to the original ink traces of the stele. The other is to pursue the stone and metal effect, showcasing the special beauty by time and nature to the steles. Regardless of which method, it requires practicing with an understanding. Practicing the "Zhang Menglong Stele" is no exception—it does not require meticulous attention to the similarity of strokes but rather to see through the phenomenon to the essence, expressing the unique aesthetic orientation of Northern calligraphy. As for structure, when practicing, one should grasp the characteristics of leaning and tight structure, positive and negative relationships, and contraction and extension, adapting to the situation and changing flexibly, only then can one capture the charm of leaning and upright coexistence in the "Zhang Menglong Stele."