The four masters of regular script are the collective names of four calligraphers who are famous for regular script in the history of calligraphy, also known as the four masters of regular script. They are Ou Yangxun (European style), Yan Zhenqing (Yan style), Liu Gongquan (Liu style) and Zhao Mengfu (Zhao Ti) in the Yuan Dynasty.

The four masters of regular script are the collective names of four calligraphers who are famous for regular script in the history of calligraphy. Regular script, also known as Four Books, has four styles: Ou Yangxun in the early Tang Dynasty, Yan Zhenqing in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Liu Gongquan in the Tang Dynasty and Zhao Mengfu in the Yuan Dynasty.

1, Ou Yangxun (557-64 1), a letter book, was born in Linxiang, Tanzhou (now Changsha, Hunan). His calligraphy achievements are based on regular script, with bold brushwork and unique structure, which is called "European style" by later generations.

Ou Yangxun in Tang Dynasty: Regular script is rigorous and precipitous, known as "the first regular script in Tang Dynasty", and its masterpiece is "The Inscription of Liquan in Jiuchenggong".

2. Yan Zhenqing (709-785), whose real name was Chen Qing, was born in Wanzhao, Jingzhao, and his ancestral home was in Linyi, Tang Dynasty (now Linyi, Shandong). In the history of calligraphy, he is the most accomplished and influential calligrapher after the two kings. Zhang Xu, a "sage of grass", was a beginner in his book, in the early Tang Dynasty. After that, it was widely collected, changed to the ancient method, and became an enemy of the calligraphy style in the early Tang Dynasty, from thin and hard to vigorous and vigorous, and became broad-minded and magnificent. This style also embodies the prosperous style of the Tang Dynasty, which is noble with him.

Yan Zhenqing (Yan Ti) in Tang Dynasty: His regular script is dignified and magnificent, which is called "Yan Ti" in the world. Representative works include Yan Liqin Monument, Yanjia Temple Monument, Duobaota Monument, Manuscript for Sacrificing Nephew, Ma Gu Xian Tan Ji and so on.

3. Liu Gongquan (778 -865), whose real name was Jing in the Tang Dynasty, was called "Liu". Later generations called it "Yan Liu Jin Gu", which became a model of calligraphy in past dynasties. His calligraphy is vigorous and vigorous, and his words are rigorous and meticulous. As far as the characteristics of Chinese characters are concerned, they are famous for their thinness and strength. The regular script written is beautiful and strong, and the running script and regular script are the most exquisite.

Liu Gongquan (Liu Ti) in Tang Dynasty: His regular script is clean and vigorous, with rigorous structure, delicate brushwork and straight brushwork. He is known as "Liu Ti" in the world, and his masterpieces include Mysterious Tower Monument and Shence Army Monument.

4. Zhao Mengfu (1254— 1322) was born in Song Xue Road, Huzhou (now Xing Wu, Zhejiang). He is good at seal script, official script, authentic works, calligraphy and cursive script, especially at regular script and calligraphy. The Book History of Yuan Dynasty says that "Meng Zhi's seal calligraphy is the highest in ancient and modern times, so the title of the book is the world". Yuan Xianyu wrote the Collection of Xue Kunzhai: "Zi Angyin, Li, Zhen, Xing and Dian Cao are the first in the contemporary era, and Xiao Kai is the first among Zi Ang's books." His elegant style, neat structure and skillful brushwork are praised as "Zhao Ti" by the world.

Zhao Mengfu in Yuan Dynasty: Regular script is round and delicate, correct and rigorous, yet elegant and beautiful. He was praised as "Zhao Ti" by the world, and his masterpiece "Rebuilding the Three Storeys of the Xuandian". [ 1]

Edit this paragraph 1) A brief introduction of Ou Yangxun.

Ou Yangxun was born in Linxiang, Tanzhou (now Changsha, Hunan) and a famous calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty. He was once a prince with a high rate, so people called him "Ouyang with a high rate". Ou Yangxun's calligraphy enjoyed a high reputation in the Sui Dynasty. Ou Yangxun in the Tang Dynasty, and Ou Yangxun, who is nearly ancient and rare, also taught calligraphy in the Hong Wen Pavilion. Ou Yangxun studied Wang Xizhi's calligraphy style in his early years. It is said that he once bought the Map of Gui Zhi for Wang Xizhi's godson with a large sum of money, copied it day and night, and studied hard. On another occasion, when he went out with Yu Shinan and saw a stone tablet written by Suo Jing, a calligrapher of the Jin Dynasty, he sat on the floor. He carefully observed and described the tablet for three days, which shows that Ou Yangxun has a strong interest in calligraphy. Later, he extensively studied the inscriptions of the Northern Dynasties, absorbed the strengths of some local calligraphers, and then integrated them into the official script, forming the "European style" (also known as "Gengti") of "vigorous and dangerous, strict statutes".

Style characteristic

Ou Yangxun's calligraphy is widely used by various schools, because it combines the characteristics of regular script in Han Li and Jin Dynasties, and also participates in the inscriptions in the Six Dynasties. The main features of Ou Yangxun's calligraphy style are rigor, neatness, honest and frank and vigor. Although the glyph is a little longer, it is white, neat and rigorous, the middle palace is tight, the main pen is elongated, it looks bold and unrestrained, dense and well-organized, surrounded on all sides, exquisite and vivid, just right. The combination of stippling and painting, the structural arrangement, is that the middle of the plane is steep and powerful, and the fonts extend to the right, but the center of gravity is still very stable, without the feeling of inclination, which is interesting and dangerous.

Most of the inscriptions in Ou Yangxun's regular script are Chinese characters, mainly including the inscription of Daming Master in Huadu Temple, the inscription of Yu Gong Wen Yanbo, the inscription of Huangfushengchen, and the inscription of Liquan in Jiucheng Palace.

Characteristics of using a pen

Ou Yangxun's calligraphy is neat, literary, vigorous and meticulous. Bao Qing Chen Shi once said: "The European fingering is solid and powerful, all-round and true to external forces." In other words, the European word emphasizes the power, and the strokes written are strong, not too thin or too full. Each pen is too long plus one point, too short MINUS one point, the weight is appropriate and the length is appropriate. The use of European characters also pays attention to the strength of the middle part of strokes, and some horizontal paintings look full in the middle part and appear "neutral"; The main strokes of some characters extend outward, showing the compactness of the middle palace, especially the vertical paintings on the right side, which often exaggerate and extend upward, showing their superhuman courage. These are the unique features of European pens.

representative works

The Inscription of Liquan in Jiucheng Palace is one of Ou Yangxun's representative works. This is an inscription written by Wei Zhi, which records the discovery of Yongquan by Emperor Taizong during his summer vacation in Jiucheng Palace. Ou Yangxun sent a letter.

This tablet is dignified and dignified in calligraphy, rigorous in statutes, square in brushwork, rigorous in structural arrangement, connecting the preceding with the following, avoiding the left and right, partial and dangerous, with overall dignity, without any disorder or collapse. Chen Ming Jiru once said: "This post is as deep as a mountain, thin and cold, but full of air, which can make the princes bend their knees beyond their power."

The original tablet has 24 lines, 1 108 characters. Due to years of weathering, the spine was excessively inflated and seriously damaged, and later generations excavated and repaired it, which made the strokes lose their sharpness. The best rubbings handed down from ancient times are the Song rubbings collected by Li Qi in Ming Dynasty, which are now in the Palace Museum in Beijing. [ 1]

Edit this brief introduction of Yan Zhenqing.

Yan Zhenqing (709-785) was born in Linyi, Shandong. This word is clear. Yan Zhenqing is a representative figure of calligraphy innovation in the middle Tang Dynasty, and his regular script is dignified and magnificent. Running script is easy and colorful. His calligraphy is not only influenced by the charm and charm of the previous calligraphy style, but also not bound by the ancient law. It breaks through the conventions of the early Tang Dynasty and is unique, which is called "Yan Ti". Song Ouyang Xiu commented: "Thinking about life is loyal, so calligraphy and painting are strong and independent, and they don't attack the past. They are quite magical, a bit like people. In the Song Dynasty, Zhu listed his calligraphy as a sacred product in "Continued Book Break". " He also commented: "The point is like a falling stone, the painting is like Xia Yun, the hook is like gold, and the bow is like a crossbow. There are images in both vertical and horizontal directions, and there is a low posture. Since the dedication, no one has said it. "

Yan Zhenqing was born a scholar, and became the governor of the plain, which made him famous all over the world. The Anshi Rebellion reached john young, and all counties in Hebei surrendered. Only Yan Zhenqing stuck to Pingyuan City and did his best for the rebel leaders and the Tang Dynasty. Finally, he was ordered by Dezong to surrender to the rebel Li Xilie and was killed. And his life's loyal and tragic deeds have enhanced his position in calligraphy. Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy is like a person, always using the front. Therefore, the so-called eight-part brushwork of Yan Fa has less artistic value, but this brushwork can give full play to men's calmness and fortitude.

After the mid-Tang Dynasty, the old system was in a state of disintegration due to the separatist regime and war. The establishment of a new model of regular script in Yan Zhenqing is the embodiment of the reconstruction of the new order. However, the regular script with strict rules was far from the social background at that time, so after the end of the Tang Dynasty, the development of calligraphy art focused on cursive script, and the classical model finally gave way to the lyrical style of individualism.

Style characteristic

Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy is called Yan Style, which has its unique style and brushwork. There are many inscriptions left by him, and later calligraphers think that traces of "round pen" can be found in some of his inscriptions, which is different from other calligraphers' "Fang Bi".

Yan Zhenqing is regarded as a pioneer by calligraphers with round pens. The use of square pens by him and Wang Xizhi had a far-reaching influence on later generations.

Personality assessment

Yan Zhenqing is a great figure in the history of books. His official books are famous for their rich and powerful style, represented by strict temple monuments. As for everyone on the cliff, it is magnificent, especially in the Tang Dynasty. At the highest level, those who show the spirit of rushing far away will push Li's memorial tablet. The grass is strong, beautiful and full of ancient meaning, and the manuscript of offering sacrifices to nephews is the first.

China occupies a special position in the history of calligraphy. Only Yan Zhenqing can shine alongside the great calligrapher Wang Xizhi. His calligraphy features regular script and cursive script. The inscriptions written in regular script are correct, beautiful and powerful. He was born when regular script was popular, which was contrary to Wang Xizhi's typical example and led the new trend of calligraphy.

Existing project

Yan Zhenqing's existing calligraphy works include: Duota Monument, Yan Family Temple Monument, Yan Monument, Ma Gu Xian Tan, and Memorial Manuscripts for Nephews. He and Liu Gongquan, another calligrapher famous for regular script in Tang Dynasty, are called "Yan Liu".

His works are numerous, and it is said that there are 130 kinds handed down. Many regular script are valued by later generations, such as Twin Towers, Oriental Painting Praise Monument, Magu Fairy Altar, Guo Monument and Li Yanqin Monument. These inscriptions are regular script with personality, characteristics and positive style, but the strokes are thin and thick, and the feet are too weak, so it is required to be verve when learning. His running script "Ji Ming's Nephew's Manuscript" is a work of grief and indignation, and it is called the second running script in the world. The running script also includes "Competing for Seats" and "General Pei's Post".

Multi-Pagoda Monument, full name "Induction Inscription of Multi-Pagoda in Qianfu Temple in Xijing, Datang": regular script, written by Cenxun, inscribed by Xu Hao. The font is symmetrical and plump. It was established in April, 725 (the 11th year of Tianbao of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty). The monument is preserved in the forest of steles in Xi, Shaanxi. [ 1]

Edit this brief introduction of Liu Gongquan.

Liu Gongquan (778-865) was born in Jingzhao Huayuan (now Yaoxian County, Shaanxi Province). Official to the prince, deceased people call it "Liu". He studied the combination of Wang Xi and Liu Gongquan, the brushwork of Ou Yangxun and Yan Zhenqing, and then set up his own family. The regular script written is beautiful and strong. Compared with Yan Ti, Liuzi is slightly thinner, so it is called "Yan Liu Jin Gu". Mu Zong asked Liu Gongquan how to use a pen, and Gong Quan replied: "With a pen in your heart, your heart is always there." Mu Gong was moved by it, like his pen remonstrance. In the Song Dynasty, Zhu Zai said: "The public power official book has the best operation mode, but the grass can't." Its method is mainly based on beauty, but it is rich and famous. "He learned Wang Xizhi's brushwork at first, and then read the modern calligraphy from the beginning again, so he tried his best to change the right army method, learn Yan Zhenqing, and learn his own new ideas, so that his calligraphy avoided the trend of horizontal and vertical, adopted the method of balancing thin and hard, and steadily chased Wei Bei, making his brushwork simply beautiful, vigorous and compact. Many scholars in later generations took Liu Zi as a model.

He was a 29-year-old scholar and served as a junior official in the local area. Later, Tang Muzong came across his handwriting and thought it was a sacred calligraphy, so he was called to Chang 'an by the imperial court. Liu Gongquan was in his forties at that time. His character is both backbone and meticulous. Similarly, his handwriting also reveals this part of his characteristics. Because of this, his prestige and status in Chang 'an have been improved, and the general princes and nobles are scrambling to invite him with huge sums of money.

Liu Gongquan died at the age of eighty. He served seven emperors and finally died as the Prince of Shao Shi.

main feature

Calligraphy in the late Tang Dynasty experienced prosperity in the middle of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, but it also reached its peak and declined. Although Liu Gongquan's fame was popular for a while, he was still slightly better than Yan Shu. Calligraphy flourished in the Tang Dynasty, but now it has declined. Liu Gongquan's regular script involves Ou Yangxun's brushwork, and some strokes are often closely interspersed, which is particularly broad, fine and angular. Although the pen was written by Yan Zhenqing, it is different from Yan Zhenqing's vigorous and broad style, which is particularly heroic.

representative works

There are many books handed down from ancient times, among which Mysterious Tower Monument, Shence Army Monument and Diamond Sutra are the most prominent.

1, Monument to the Shence Army: in regular script, established in the third year of Tang Huichang (AD 843). It is one of Liu Gongquan's representative works, which is more distinctive than the book style of Mysterious Tower, which is widely known in later generations. The structure is smooth and even, and the left side is tight and the right side is comfortable. It is also a good model for temporary writing.

2. The Diamond Sutra of Liu Shu: in regular script, in the reign of Tang Changqing (AD 824), engraved in April. The original stone was destroyed in the Song Dynasty. Tang Tuo, a stone chamber in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, was handed down from generation to generation, intact, and is now in the Paris Museum, France. Critics believe that the regular script Diamond Sutra is a masterpiece of Zhong (Yao), Wang (Xizhi), Ou (), Yu (Heather), Chu (Sui Liang) and Lu (Dong Zhi), which has high artistic value.

3. "Mysterious Pagoda": regular script. The first year of Tang Huichang (AD 84 1 year) was established in February, and the original monument is now Xi 'an stele forest in Shaanxi. This monument is the most famous book handed down from generation to generation. It is one of the most influential models in regular script. [ 1]

Edit this paragraph 4) Introduction of Zhao Mengfu.

Zhao Mengfu (1254- 1322) was born in Song Xue road. He was the most outstanding painter in Zhao Mengfu School in Yuan Dynasty, and he also had a wide influence at that time and later. Descendants of Song Taizu's son, King Qin Fangde. After the demise of the Song Dynasty, he returned to his hometown to live in seclusion. Later, he was wooed by Yuan Shizu and became an official in the Five Dynasties. He was appointed as a bachelor of Hanlin, and Dr. Rong Lu was appointed as Wei Gong and Shi Wenmin. Make good use of printing, printing, printing, printing, printing, printing, printing. He is the author of Song Xuezhai Collection.

He was a declining aristocrat during the Zhao and Song Dynasties, and later cooperated with the Yuan Dynasty. 1287 (twenty-four years of Yuan Dynasty) enrolled more than twenty people including Zhao Mengfu for the first time. Later, they recruited Jiangnan literati many times, and some got the position of Li Lu through Zhao Mengfu. Zhao Mengfu was loved by the emperors of the Yuan Dynasty. He was "honored in the Five Dynasties and famous all over the world" and became the leader of literati painting in the Yuan Dynasty as a bachelor of Hanlin.

Style characteristic

He also visited the Dingding Monument in the Yuan and Wei Dynasties, Yu Shinan and Chu Suiliang in the Tang Dynasty. This is the great achievement of previous generations. As Wen Jia said, "Gong Wei's calligraphy is superior to the ancients, and they are all imitations." Therefore, Zhao's success in calligraphy is inseparable from his ability to learn from other people's long sentences. What is particularly valuable is that most calligraphers in the Song and Yuan Dynasties were only good at lines and cursive scripts, while Zhao Mengfu was able to delve into various styles. His article is out of date and bypasses the study of Buddhism and Taoism. Later generations, many people studied Zhao Mengfu's calligraphy, and Zhao Mengfu's calligraphy was very popular in Korea and Japan.

representative works

There are also masterpieces in Zhao Kai's books, such as Sanmen Collection, which is broad in structure, deep and steady in structure and fluent in brushwork, and is most suitable for copybooks. Most of Zhao's handed down works are running scripts, most of which are accurate in brushwork and rigorous in wording, such as Fu on the Red Wall, which is a classic.

Personality assessment

Zhao Mengfu was an influential calligrapher in the early Yuan Dynasty. "Biography of the History of Yuan Dynasty" records: "Meng Yi's calligraphy is the best in the world, so the book is the theme of the world." Praise. According to Song Lian, a scholar, Zhao's calligraphy learned Lingling's Eight Intellectuals in his early years, Zhong You and Fairy in his middle years and books in his later years. [ 1]

Edit the historical position of this paragraph.

The four masters of regular script had a far-reaching influence on the history of calligraphy and painting in East Asia, pushed our calligraphy art to a historical climax and laid a solid foundation for later calligraphy writing.

1, Yan Zhenqing

Yan Zhenqing, the pioneer of round pen calligraphy, occupies a special position in the history of China calligraphy. Only Yan Zhenqing can shine with the great calligrapher Wang Xizhi. His calligraphy features regular script and cursive script. The inscriptions written in regular script are correct, beautiful and powerful. He was born when regular script was popular, which was contrary to Wang Xizhi's typical example and led the new trend of calligraphy. His official book, "Invincible Sword Destroyed, the Situation Startled", which is famous for its prosperity, is represented by Yan Shijia Temple Monument; As for everyone on the cliff, it is magnificent, especially in the Tang Dynasty. At the highest level, those who show the spirit of rushing far away will push Li's memorial tablet. The grass is strong, beautiful and full of ancient meaning, and the manuscript of offering sacrifices to nephews is the first. Yan Zhenqing is regarded as a pioneer by calligraphers with round pens. The use of square pens by him and Wang Xizhi had a far-reaching influence on later generations.

2. Liu Gongquan

A model of a scholar: Liu Gongquan once used the opportunity of explaining calligraphy to the emperor to explain the truth of being a man. In his view, the method of writing and the principle of being a man are unified. As long as a person is honest, his calligraphy also has the flavor of honesty and integrity. They believe that calligraphy not only makes people happy physically and mentally, but also helps to cultivate noble morality. He began to learn from Wang Xizhi, the brushwork of Ou Yangxun and Yan Zhenqing, and then set up his own family. The regular script written is beautiful and strong. Compared with Yan Ti, Liuzi is slightly thinner, so it is called "Yan Liu Jin Gu". Mu Zong asked Liu Gongquan how to use a pen, and Gong Quan replied: "With a pen in your heart, your heart is always there." Mu Gong changed his face for this, just as his pen warned him. In the Song Dynasty, Zhu Zai said: "The public power official book has the best operation mode, but the grass can't." Its method is mainly based on beauty, but it is rich and famous. "He began to learn Wang Xizhi's brushwork, and later he read the calligraphy in the modern style, so he tried his best to change the right army method, learn from Yan Zhenqing, and assimilate his new ideas, so that his calligraphy avoided the trend of horizontal and vertical, adopted a balanced and thin and hard technique, and steadily chased Wei Bei, making his brushwork simply beautiful, vigorous and tight. Many scholars in later generations took Liu Zi as a model.

3. Zhao Mengfu

Zhao Mengfu was one of the most outstanding calligraphers in Yuan Dynasty. He was born in a famous family and experienced changes in Song and Yuan Dynasties all his life. His beautiful calligraphy is in sharp contrast with the vigorous style of the other three famous regular script writers. Zhao Mengfu is a versatile artist, and his achievements in painting are often praised by art historians. Zhao Mengfu is well-read, good at poetry and prose, familiar with economy, industrial calligraphy, fine painting, good at epigraphy, fluent in temperament and appreciation. In particular, calligraphy and painting achieved the highest achievements in the Yuan Dynasty, creating a new style of painting, which was called "the crown of Yuan people". In painting, landscapes, figures, flowers and birds, bamboo stones and pommel horses are omnipotent; Fine brushwork, freehand brushwork, turquoise, ink and wash, everything is fine. He occupies an important position in the history of calligraphy in China. From the age of five, Zhao Mengfu began to learn calligraphy, and he kept reading and writing until his death. It can be said that his love for calligraphy has reached a soft spot. He is good at seal script, official script, authentic works, calligraphy and cursive script, especially at regular script and calligraphy. The Book History of Yuan Dynasty says that "Meng Zhi's seal calligraphy is the highest in ancient and modern times, so the title of the book is the world". Yuan Xianyu wrote the Collection of Xue Kunzhai: "Zi Angyin, Li, Zhen, Xing and Dian Cao are the first in the contemporary era, and Xiao Kai is the first among Zi Ang's books." His elegant style, neat structure and skillful brushwork are praised as "Zhao Ti" by the world. [ 1]