The Complete Collection of the Eight Eccentric Masters of Yangzhou (4 Volumes)

Author: Cao Huimin, Chen Kang, Editors
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Speaking of the Eight of Yangzhou, one must first mention Zheng Banqiao. When it comes to Zheng Banqiao, one cannot help but recall a folk story about him: It is said that Zheng Banqiao, in his pursuit of calligraphy, reached a state of exhaustion, losing sleep and becoming utterly immersed in his studies. Not only did he practice calligraphy by copying the works of masters of past generations during the day, but he also continued to do so at night, even on his wife's back. One day, this "man who cannot see the obvious" used his wife's smooth back as a writing surface once again, practicing calligraphy. Frustrated, his wife said, "Ah, Mr., you have your style, and I have mine. Why do you keep practicing on my body?" Upon hearing this, Zheng Banqiao had an epiphany: Yes, every calligrapher and painter of past generations had their own unique style. Why should he imitate others' styles instead of forging his own? From then on, he broke free from the deliberate imitation of ancient calligraphers, strove for innovation, and merged the essence of regular script and running script to create his own distinctive "Banqiao style." It is not just that contemporaries called him one of the Eight of Yangzhou; the "strangeness" lies in their individualistic styles in both painting and calligraphy. Even in daily life, they were full of unconventional tricks and eccentric habits that shocked the public. Thus, on the art scene of early Qing Dynasty China, they gathered as a cluster of dazzling artistic stars, pioneering a new style in the history of Chinese painting. The Eight of Yangzhou, with their highly creative artistic personalities and extraordinary talent in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, composed a magnificent symphony of artistic works that stunned the world. Their exquisite creations have been deeply integrated into the traditional genes of Eastern civilization, greatly enriching the spiritual world of the Chinese nation. The reason we compiled this "Complete Works of the Eight of Yangzhou" is to show the world the many masterpieces the Yangzhou School contributed to traditional culture, their close ties to our national culture, and the inspiration they offer for promoting Chinese civilization in the future.
Who are the "Eight of Yangzhou"? There have been different opinions on this question. However, they are generally believed to be Zheng Banqiao, Wang Shishen, Li Shan, Huang Shen, Jin Nong, Gao Xiang, Li Fangying, and Luo Pin. In fact, there were also others who gathered around them, such as Gao Fenghan, Hua Yan, Yang Fa, and Chen Zhuan. Most of these people were born in Yangzhou, or though they were not locals, they lived there for long periods, made a living through painting and calligraphy, and frequently traveled to Yangzhou, maintaining close ties with the local art scene. These individuals, with their progressive ideas and unconventional styles, led the trend, forming what is known as the "Yangzhou School" as a specific regional cultural phenomenon. The leader of this school was undoubtedly Zheng Banqiao.