Starting from Li Si, a statesman and writer in the Qin Dynasty who established the status of calligraphy art,

for more than two thousand years,

There have been some people in Chinese history who were politicians, writers, and calligraphers.

For example: Chu Suiliang, Xie An, Fan Zhongyan...

In the evaluation of calligraphy in the past dynasties,

The quality of calligraphy and character are a flesh-and-blood whole.< /p>

Character has always been higher than the quality of books.

It is said that words are useless because of people.

But this is not entirely the case.

There are also calligraphers with good calligraphy but poor character,

and there are also calligraphers who founded sects.

Today, I will show you the calligraphy of these "high-ranking officials" in the past dynasties. Some of them have high calligraphy and calligraphy quality, while others have high calligraphy quality but poor character. Which one is better and which one is worse? What do you think, book friends?

1. Li Si

Li Si, whose courtesy name is Tonggu. At the end of the Warring States Period, he was a native of the Chu State and prime minister of the Qin Dynasty. A famous politician, writer and calligrapher in the Qin Dynasty.

Li Si's "Yishan Stele"

"Yishan Stele" was carved during the Eastern Tour in 219 BC. It is the earliest piece of Qin carved stone. Its content is to praise the unification of the world. , abolished enfeoffment and established counties and counties. The original stone is no longer there, but it is said that Emperor Wu of Wei Cao Cao was knocked down when he was climbing a mountain. The most famous copy now is the "Chang'an version". This is the Chang'an version copied by Zheng Wenbao from the Ming Dynasty to the Song Dynasty.

Part:

2. Cao Cao

Cao Cao, whose courtesy name is Mengde, whose given name is Jili, and whose nickname is Amo, was born in Qiao County, Peiguo (now Bozhou, Anhui Province). , Han nationality. An outstanding statesman, military strategist, writer and calligrapher in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

Although Cao Cao was good at calligraphy, very few of his ink marks have been handed down to the world. There are only two characters left in the world, that is, the word "Gun Xue" written on a large stone in the Bao River south of Shimen when Cao Cao was conquering Hanzhong.

3. Zhuge Liang

Part of Zhao Meng's "Portrait of Zhuge Liang"

Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, nickname Wolong, was born in Yangdu, Langya, Xuzhou (now Yinan, Linyi City, Shandong Province) County) native, the prime minister of the Shu Han Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period, an outstanding politician, strategist, essayist, calligrapher, and inventor.

Zhuge Liang's "Yuanshe Tie"

"Yuanshe Tie" was written by Zhuge Liang when he went out to attack the Wei Dynasty in Xiegu. Zhuge Liang's calligraphy "Public Spectrum" has been documented and passed down in a thorough manner. There are 27 words in the whole post: "The master and his disciples traveled far away, and the road was very difficult. Fortunately, they were all fine. When they came back, they came back and it was no longer like this. I nodded."

The full text is The Zhang Cao style of writing has the charm of official script, and the writing power is slender. The strict rules of regular script reveal agility and elegance, restrained and elegant, without a trace of impatience. This is the saying "it is difficult to obtain pure Qi in the world". The signature "Liang" is in regular script, which is particularly eye-catching.

4. Xie An

Xie An’s position is prime minister. He is a man of both civil and military skills. He is also a great politician who has hidden dangers due to his great achievements. He is a famous politician in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. , prime minister, calligrapher, and disciple of the famous scholar Xie Shang.

Xie An's "June Tie"

When Xie An was young, he was famous for his free talk. He was initially conquered by Situ. Except for his appointment as Zuo Zuo Lang, he resigned due to illness and lived in seclusion in Kuaiji. In Dongshan, Yin County, Junshan, he traveled with Wang Xizhi, Sun Chuo and others, and educated the children of the Xie family. Since then, he has repeatedly refused orders from the court.

Xie An's "Zhonglang Tie"

Xie An once learned running script from Wang Xizhi, and his calligraphy is very good, especially running script. Mi Fu, a later generation, once praised his calligraphy as "wonderful messages in the mountains and forests, heroic work on the rock corridors, neither sloppy nor insipid, and spontaneous and indifferent to ancient times." "Xuanhe Calligraphy Collection" includes his running script "Jin Wen Tie", "Shan Hu Tie" and "Zhong Shu Pu". "Lang Tie", "Mourn Tie" and "June Tie".

Xie An's "Wives' Notes"

Xie An and Wang Xizhi established a very good teacher-student friendship. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the female poet Xie Daoyun, as Xie An's niece, married Wang Xizhi His son Wang Ningzhi.

5. Chu Suiliang

Chu Suiliang, courtesy name Dengshan, was a politician and calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty, and a native of Yangdi (now Yuzhou, Henan).

"Chu Zhongling's Book of Sorrows"

In the early Tang Dynasty, Chu Suiliang was a late calligrapher after Yu and Ou. His guidance and inspiration had a great influence on him, so the word "Chu" has the advantages of both square and round. The tablets he wrote have been handed down to the world, such as "Ni Kuan Zan" and "Yanta Sacred Preface".

"The Preface to the Sacred Teachings of the Wild Goose Pagoda"

"The Inscription of Master Meng"

Chu Suiliang's "Shanhe Tie"

Chu Suiliang's "Tan" "Fu Tie"

6. Di Renjie

Di Renjie (630-700), courtesy name Huaiying, was born in Taiyuan, Bingzhou (now the southern suburb of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province). He was an outstanding figure in the Tang, Wu and Zhou dynasties. politician. After he assumed the position of prime minister, he assisted the country and stabilized the country, and could be said to be one of the important contributors to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

"Epitaph of Yuan Gongyu"

"Epitaph of Yuan Gongyu" was written and written by Di Renjie. The epitaph is 70 cm high and 74 cm wide. From the rubbings of the epitaph, it can be seen that Di Renjie has a high level of calligraphy. His works are mainly in Yu Shinan's calligraphy style, which looks round and handsome, but also has the stretch and sharpness of Chu Suiliang's calligraphy style. At the same time, he has a steady brushstroke, plump dots, deep bone strength, and a balance of hardness and softness, which is unique. .

7. Fan Zhongyan

Fan Zhongyan, courtesy name Xiwen, Han nationality, was a famous thinker, politician, military strategist, and writer in the Northern Song Dynasty. His famous prose "Yueyang Tower" contains the famous line "Be worried about the world's worries first, and be happy after the world's happiness", which has been widely praised by later generations.

Fan Zhongyan's "Yuan Xing Tie"

Fan Zhongyan is good at calligraphy. Song Dynasty Huang Tingjian's "Valley Inscriptions and Postscripts" says: "Fan Wenzheng's writing was quick and calm, very close to the calligraphy of the Jin and Song Dynasties." He also said: "Fan Wenzheng's "Ode to Boyi" is very similar to the writing style of his predecessors. The official script is easy to use, and the lower regular script It is difficult to be clear and energetic. "Longjiang Meng Yulu" written by Ming and Tang Dynasties commented that Fan Zhongyan's book is "extremely vigorous and beautiful, without any trace of indulgence." "

Fan Zhongyan's "Bian Shi Tie"

Fan Zhongyan's "Praise for Taoism"

One of Fan Chunren's "Zhi Shou to Bokang Jun"

Fan Chunren's ruler-slip "Zhibo Kangjun Shichi-shou" Part 2

Fan Chunren's ruler-slip "An Old Friend's Letter" Part 1

Fan Chunren's Ruler's Letter "An Old Friend's Letter" Part Two

8. Fu Bi

Fu Bi was born in Luoyang, Henan, and was named Yanguo. In the second year of Qingli, he reported to Qidan and asked for an increase in Qi coins. In the second year of Zhihe, he served as deputy envoy to the privy council and helped Fan Zhongyan implement the new policy. In the second year of Zhihe, he was appointed prime minister together with Wen Yanbo.

On June 19, 2005, at the 2005 Spring Auction in Hanhai, Beijing, Fu Bi's "Son Post" was sold for 4.62 million. Looking at it now, the post is very down-to-earth, and every word can read the old father's thoughts on his son's conduct in life. Worry, and the good intentions of arranging everything for his son.

Explanation:

My son is dull by nature, and he rarely knows anything about it, so I often ask him to see him. Thank you very much for your guidance.

Translation:

My son is stupid and slow, and he has little experience in society. Training. I have few close friends in the capital, so I ask him to visit you frequently. I hope you can give him more advice on everything. Please read this letter and burn it.

Fu Bi's "Wen" Gantie"

9. Wen Yanbo

Wen Yanbo, courtesy name Kuanfu, was born in Jiexiu, Fenzhou, which is now Jiexiu, Shanxi. He lived for 92 years (1006-1097). Wen Yanbo, a famous politician and calligrapher in the Northern Song Dynasty, was known as one of the three sages of Jiexiu in history. He has been a general for 50 years, with great achievements and prominent positions.

Wen Yanbo's "Zuo Zangtie"

Since ancient times, there have been many literati, but in Wen Yanbo's view, calligraphy is just a minor skill. , just as a tool, he was not famous for calligraphy in his life, and he did not have the research spirit of calligraphy like Mi, Su, Huang and others later. Because he was full of knowledge, knowledgeable about the past and the present, and his mind was full of treasures, which was revealed in calligraphy. It is also outstanding.

Wen Yanbo's "Neihan Tie"

Wen Yanbo's "Three Letters"

10. Wang Anshi

Wang Anshi, whose courtesy name was Jiefu and whose nickname was Banshan, was from Linchuan (now Linchuan District, Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province). He was a famous thinker, politician, writer and reformer in the Northern Song Dynasty. When people mention Wang Anshi, they will naturally think of "Wang Anshi's Reform". , will think of some of his poems, but not many people may know and understand his calligraphy

▲ Wang Anshi's "Guo Congtie" Collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

For Wang Anshi. There are other theories about the origin of calligraphy. To sum up, there are about the following points: First, Wang Anshi's calligraphy originated naturally from the bottom of the pen and was mostly written with his own intention; second, it is like the pen and ink of people from the Jin and Song Dynasties, which is elegant and elegant. It is extraordinary and has a high style; thirdly, there are different opinions on the origin of calligraphy, making it difficult to find out its roots.

Wang Anshi's "The Purpose of the Surangama Sutra in Running Script", rolled paper, 29.9×119cm, collected by the Shanghai Museum

Part of it

Wang Anshi's calligraphy has rarely survived, and there is little appreciation for his calligraphy. Calligraphy is also like his reform, and there are many comments from contemporary people and future generations. Su Dongpo believed that his calligraphy was ingenious but could not be learned because he had no method. Huang Tingjian believed that his calligraphy was as ancient as the pen and ink of people from the Jin and Song dynasties. He also said that his calligraphy was often done spontaneously and originally. He is not seeking work, but is simple and far away, with high spirits, like a wise man. Although his clothes are ragged, he walks among the carts and horses, and his eyes are bright, which is always different from ordinary people; Mi Fu said about Wang Anshi's calligraphy He studied the Yang Ning style of the Five Dynasties, and he said quite arrogantly that few people knew this...

11. Sima Guang

Sima Guang, courtesy name Junshi, nickname Yuansou, Han nationality, was born in Sushui Township, Xia County, Shaanxi Province (now Xia County, Shanxi Province). He was known as Mr. Sushui in the world and was a politician, historian and writer in the Northern Song Dynasty. The story of "Sima Guang Smashing a Vat" in the primary school textbook is still fresh in my memory. It is probably this innate wisdom of breaking and building that made him achieve his later achievements in politics, literature and history, and calligraphy.

Part of Sima Guang's "The Remaining Manuscript of Zizhi Tongjian"

Sima Guang is an accomplished calligrapher. His rigorous and elegant calligraphy is rooted in his rich literary and historical education and political embrace. , with clear strokes and clear strokes, a regular and flat structure, and the horizontal strokes at the entrance and exit of the strokes often have the characteristics of the Han Li style of silkworm heads and phoenix tails. It is unique and can be called "Li Kai style". In the star-studded Song Dynasty, It is also very dazzling in the calligraphy galaxy.

Sima Guang's "Fragmentary Manuscript of Zizhi Tongjian"

33.8cm×130cm Collection of the National Library

12. Cai Jing

Cai Jing, Zi Yuan Chang, one of the powerful ministers of the Northern Song Dynasty, a calligrapher and the disciple of the famous calligrapher Cai Xiang. Cai Jing served as prime minister four times.

Cai Jing's "Palace Envoy's Calligraphy"

The era created the four great calligraphers "Su Huang Mi Cai", but because Cai Jing was called the leader of the Six Thieves, the calligraphy of the Song Dynasty " "Shangyi", with special emphasis on personal style and character, so people changed Cai Jing to Cai Xiang.

Cai Jing's "Jie Fu Tie"

Cai Jing's calligraphy art is characterized by grace, boldness, joy and calmness, and can embody the calligraphy aesthetics of "Shang Yi" in the Song Dynasty. Therefore, he already enjoyed a high reputation at that time, and many people in the government and the public studied his calligraphy. When people at that time talked about his calligraphy, they often used words such as "unrivaled" and "unmatched". Even the arrogant Mi Fu once said that his calligraphy was not as good as Cai Jing's. It is said that once Cai Jing was chatting with Mi Fu, Cai Jing asked Mi Fu: "Who is the best calligrapher today?" Mi Fu replied: "Since Liu Gongquan in the late Tang Dynasty, it has been you and your brother Cai Bian. "Cai Jing asked: "What's next?" Mi Fu said: "Of course it's me." "Wang Ximeng's Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" written by Cai Jing in the Song Dynasty, collected by the Palace Museum in Beijing.

Cai Jing's Inscription of Zhao Ji Listening to the Qin Picture

13. Qin Hui

Qin Hui, courtesy name Huizhi, Han nationality, a native of Jiangning Prefecture (now Nanjing, Jiangsu Province) in the Song Dynasty, served twice Prime Minister. Chinese characters include "Song characters", which began with woodblock printing in the Song Dynasty. They are widely used and are still commonly used in the typesetting of books, magazines, and newspapers. However, no one wants to mention the name of the founder, who is Qin Hui.

Qin Hui's "Stanzas"

In addition to being famous as a traitor who killed loyal general Yue Fei on "unfounded" charges, Qin Hui's calligraphy has also attracted much attention. His handwriting was graceful and his expression was full of energy. He was deeply loved by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty and ordered him to be in charge of official documents. It is said that he used his spare time from official duties to devote himself to the study of Chinese characters. In addition, he made in-depth research on the thin gold style of Huizong of Song Dynasty, and neatly and uniformly formed the Song style.

Qin Hui's "Deep Heart Tie"

Part of "Deep Heart Tie"

Qin Hui's representative work "Deep Heart Tie" was written in the twelfth year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (1142) Year, Wei Guogong had just joined the Grand Master three months ago). "Deep Heart Tie" comes from the third volume of the Shurangama Sutra. It is actually a fragmentary post. The post should have at least 41 characters in front of it. There are not many calligraphy works of Qin Hui handed down from generation to generation, and "Deep Heart Tie" can represent the highest level of Qin Hui's calligraphy.

14. Wen Tianxiang

Wen Tianxiang, also known as Song Rui, has a good character. He calls himself Wenshan and Fuxiu Taoist. A native of Luling, Jizhou, Jiangxi, he was a politician, writer, patriotic poet, famous anti-Yuan official and national hero in the late Song Dynasty.

Wen Tianxiang is the second king of the calligraphy clan. The thickness of his strokes does not change much, but he pays attention to the density changes in the layout. Looking at his works, it seems that a clear spring is flowing, elegant and full of literati atmosphere.

15. Yelu Chucai

Yelü Chucai, also known as Jinqing, also known as Zhanran Jushi and Yuquan Laoren. A native of the Khitan tribe at the end of the Jin Dynasty and the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, he served in Mongolia for thirty years. During the reign of Ogedai Khan, he was an official at Zhongshu Ling (equivalent to prime minister) and was an active advocate of promoting Han law.

Yelü’s only handwriting handed down from generation to generation, “Send Scroll of Poems to Liu Man”

Yelü Chucai played a crucial role in the sinicization of the country’s governance strategy. He and Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen Sect's advice to Genghis Khan saved the lives of millions of Han people, and they can be called "the first Confucian scholar in Mongolia". As a calligrapher, he is also outstanding. In the early Ming Dynasty, Song Lian commented: "The calligraphy and painting made in his later years are particularly strong and vigorous, as if they were made of cast iron. Their fortitude will last until old age." This can be said to be an excellent comment.

16. Liu Ji (Liu Bowen)

Liu Ji, courtesy name Bowen, was a native of Nantian Township, Qingtian County, so he was called Liu Qingtian. He was a military strategist, statesman, and politician in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties. Literary scholar, the founding father of the Ming Dynasty, he was granted the title of Uncle Chengyi in the third year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1370), so he was also called Liu Chengyi.

Liu Ji's calligraphy involves both true, cursive and cursive calligraphy, and he is especially good at cursive calligraphy. It has the characteristics of strong and smooth, charming and elegant, clear and beautiful, and has the rigorous and solemn meaning of Tang Kaili, which gives people a sense of The grass is gone, the dragon and the snake are gone, and the ink is fragrant.