Interpretation of China’s top ten calligraphers of the 20th century
In a sense, information is a collector’s guide to action. Those who are good at utilizing information will be the biggest beneficiaries. The selection event of "China's Top Ten Outstanding Calligraphers of the 20th Century" sponsored by "Chinese Calligraphy" magazine was announced at the beginning of the year after voting by experts and the public. Ranked in order of votes: Wu Changshuo, Lin Sanzhi, Kang Youwei, Yu Youren, Mao Zedong, Shen Yinmo, Sha Menghai, Xie Wuliang, Qi Baishi and Li Shutong. For collectors and investors, this selection result has a certain reference value and is also convenient for collectors to formulate collection goals.
When collecting paintings and calligraphy, artistic quality should of course be the first element. Due to personal preferences and differences in artistic aesthetics and appreciation, there are often completely different attitudes toward the works of ancient and modern famous calligraphers and painters. Sometimes it is precisely the collection of works that were not favored by the market at the time, but are highly favored a few years later. This depends on the collector's appreciation level and whether he has a strategic vision. For example, Lin Sanzhi, who is known as the "Sage of Grass" in modern times, was not favored by the domestic calligraphy and painting circles 50 years ago, and not many people knew about his calligraphy skills. If any dear friend had collected Lin Sanzhi at that time, Sanzhi's original manuscripts are a beneficiary today, because the value of these treasures has increased several times.
Lin Sanzhi’s calligraphy skills were discovered due to the first national calligraphy and seal cutting exhibition. It was 1978. Lin Sanzhi's large painting shocked all the judges, including Guo Moruo and others. They all admired his majestic brushstrokes and exquisite use of lines. Later, due to the admiration of Japanese calligraphy circles, Lin Sanzhi quickly became popular in China. He was nearly 60 years old at that time.
Looking closely at the list of reports from the most authoritative organization in the Chinese calligraphy community, it is not difficult to see that it has the following characteristics: First, it is purely about the art of calligraphy. In terms of pure calligraphy art, the calligraphy skills of the top four famous artists are indeed the most outstanding and irreplaceable. In particular, the shortlisting of Kang Youwei and Yu Youren is even more convincing. They are real calligraphers and masters, not ordinary calligraphers. Compared with famous writers such as Qi Baishi, Sha Menghai and Shen Yinmo, the popularity of these two masters of calligraphy seems to be lower. This is inseparable from the previous publicity efforts and the differences in the times. But once the artistic achievements of these two masters are recognized by today's people, the prices of their works at auction will not be what they are today.
The works that Yu Youren left to the world are mostly in the form of cursive couplets. The works are calm and heavy, filled with atmospheric charm. The spirit of his calligraphy is very consistent with the integrity of his personality. People's understanding of Kang Youwei is mostly based on the "1898 Reform" in Chinese history. Anyone who is familiar with Chinese calligraphy knows that in fact, Kang Youwei's contribution to promoting the spread and development of Chinese calligraphy art will never be inferior to his political actions in history. Kang Youwei's calligraphy was deeply influenced by Wei Stele, but it was also full of changes. There is usually no sharp edge when starting the pen, and there is no missing edge when closing the pen, and there is no frustrated edge; the pen is folded in a square and round shape, and the brush is moved quickly and quickly, and the brush strokes are wonderful. The mastery of his wrist skills is enough to impress people. It can be said that the artistic charm of the top four among the top ten outstanding calligraphers is Wu Changshuo's majestic and powerful style, Lin Sanzhi's dry and ethereal style, Kang Youwei's grand artistic conception, and Yu Youren's vigorous and sophisticated style.
The second is the shortlisting of Xie Wuliang and Qi Baishi, which shows the effect of art and communication. The former is the least famous among the ten masters, but it is his extensive and profound knowledge and seemingly casual and casual calligraphy art that has won people's love. When you first look at some works of art, you often feel unimpressive and uninteresting, but as time goes by, they become more enjoyable the more you look at them. Xie Wuliang's calligraphy is like this. His font structure is novel and unique, combining skill with clumsiness, sparse but not lax. In fact, he has a well-thought-out approach and has his own rules. Based on the author's understanding of his calligraphy skills, the reason why his works are unconventional is, on the one hand, his understanding and mastery of calligraphy, and on the other hand, his extensive and profound knowledge. Therefore, his calligraphy strokes are condensed and strong, soft yet strong. They are not limited by a fixed form and are not artificial in any way, but are thought-provoking. Qi Baishi's calligraphy has been shortlisted among the top ten outstanding calligraphers of the 20th century, which is partly due to the reputation of his paintings. Compared with his outstanding and accomplished ink paintings, his calligraphy skills seem not worth talking about. If those poems were not paired with his exquisite paintings, who would squint and appreciate them carefully? From the perspective of pure collection, I am afraid that even 10 paintings with the same calligraphy cannot equal the economic value of one painting with the same characters. After all, behind the economic value, there is artistic gold content to support it.
The third is the shortlisting of Shen Yinmo and Li Shutong, which is quite dramatic. Shen's calligraphy art was once considered a modern pioneer in the maritime art world, and it has indeed influenced several generations of people engaged in calligraphy art. However, in the northern and central plains of our country, it is often considered to be a scourge that hinders the development and progress of modern maritime calligraphy. From the perspective of collection and appreciation, it is a wise move to partially absorb and collect some of Shen's works. But if it is regarded as a model of art, it often becomes a stumbling block for collectors to move forward. Li Shutong's calligraphy is naturally unique. A monk has his own detachment and elegance, without a trace of human impetuousness. He writes carefully and slowly, which really makes the reader feel refreshed immediately after seeing it on a hot summer day. I once saw a fine couplet by Li Shutong in the former residence of the famous modern art master Feng Zikai in Shimen Ancient Town, and I admired it very much. The written couplet is "If you want to be the foundation of all Dharma, your heart is like a painter."
The lines are the same thickness and have a slightly rectangular structure. They come out freely without the slightest restraint when using the pen. They are full of Zen energy. It is really difficult and difficult to learn. Some people have tried to interpret Li's calligraphy skills and imitate his calligraphy works. But it always feels nondescript. Without the environment, skills and practice, how can there be any reason to imitate and create a book?
The selection of China’s top ten outstanding calligraphers of the 20th century will certainly play an important role in the collection industry that cannot be underestimated. Among the top ten outstanding calligraphers, the value of calligraphy by Wu Changshuo, Lin Sanzhi, and Sha Menghai has long been raised to the point where "the heights are too high to bear the cold". Each work often costs 20,000 to 30,000 yuan (about 6 square meters). feet); and the works of Kang Youwei and Yu Youren have also been on the rise in auctions in recent years. As people further recognize them, their values ??will rise again. In comparison, only Xie Wuliang's works can still do some movement. If you walk before others wake up, you will definitely have a lot of space to hover.