Jin Shang Yun

“Jin”means”the Jin Dynasty”，”Shang”means”advocates”，and”Yun”means”charn”.This is the summarization for calligraphy features of the Jin Dynasty.Before the Jin Dynasty，scholars often paid attention to the nice and neat appearance of characters.Until the Jin Dynasty，scholars were often in the pursuit of inherent artistic charm of calligraphy，and liked to make work express unique favor and artistic connotation.This”charm”is embodiment and expression of a calligrapher’s spiritual quality and emotion.

Ode to Goddess of Luo River

Calligrapher: Wang Xianzhi

Creation year: unknown

Style of calligraphy: small regular script

Size: vertical length of 29 cm, horizontal length of 26cm ode to Goddess of Luo River is a literary mas-terpiece created by Cao Zhi in the Three King-doms Period.

Wang Xianzhi adopted small regular script to transcribe it as a masterpiece of calligraphy.

Wang Xianzhi’s small regular script is strong, vigorous, beautiful and rigorous to show natural and leisurely grace. It features straight lines and extended structure, while long stretched strokes are not frivolous and weak. Stroke power is delivered to the end of strokes in high spirits. The composition of thiswork shows sparse and dense layout, with upright and oblique body and varying-size fonts, which looks lively and natural, with full of change. Throughout this artwork, it radiates artistically mild charms, which is consistent with ethereal realm of the original work.

The authentic ode to Goddess of Luo River has been lost. This is engraving rubbing of the original work (part), which is also known as 13 Lines on Jade Plate, which was carved by Jia Sidao(prime minister of the Southern Song Dynasty) according to the original incomplete work.

With gently melodious charm，the strokes show natural grace in beautiful and straight appearance.

Stippling jumps，with connotation at running hand

-Lines are strong and straight.

The size is small，but the stroke is not stiff.

Long stretched strokes are often flowing in high spirits.

Occasionally characters tilt on one side in natural and colorful way.

Scattered composition has full of fun.

DoYouKnow？

Calligraphy of the Wei，Jin，Northern and Southern Dynasties The Wei，Jin，Northern and Southern Dynasties were brilliant eras for the ancient Chinese calligraphy，in which many calligraphers sprang up，and created a lot of classics for future generations.

In the Three Kingdoms，the Wei Kingdom made the highest calligraphy achievements，and Zhong You was an outstanding representative.In the Eastern Jin Dynasty，”Two Wangs”originated small regular script，running script，cursive script，running and cursive script which had a profound influence on later generation.In the Southern Dynasty，the tradition of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was inherited to show beautiful style.In the Northern Dynasty，calligraphy was dominated by inscriptions of unknown craftsmen，which was in simple unadorned style.

QuickLink

Nymph of the Luo River

Brief Knowledge

Gesture

Gesture refers to the implied momentum between the spotting strokes at the time of writing and painting.

The Chinese character “Xi” has the upright and curved structure, with full of charm.

It tries to tilt upward.

— Unexpectedly, it tilts to the left.

The Chinese character “Quan” features beautiful and elegant lines and strokes which are delicate, pretty and clear-cut.

They echo with each other.

Long stroke stretches and looks slender.

The form of the Chinese character”Chou”has slightly rustic taste.

Slightly s ke w position is naturally interesting.

Short and curved arc appears unique and simple.

Buying Yang Xin’s Calligraphy Works in imitation of Wang Xianzhi’s Style Wang Xianzhi had a nephew named Yang Xin. At the age of 15-16. Yang Xin’s calligraphy was quite good. Wang Xianzhi appreciated him. One day, Wang Xianzhi visited Yang Xin’s home, and saw hin wearing a white silk gown to take a nap. In high spirits, Wang Xianzhi took brush and ink to write on Yang Xin’s gown with many characters. After Yang Xin woke up and saw these, he was very happy, and put this gown as a model forpracticing calligraphy. Having real things passed on by Wang Xianzhi, Yang Xin later became a famous calligrapher, and he imitated Wang Xianzhi’s calligraphy and almost reached genuine peak. Therefore,a proverb spread that:”Yang Xin’s calligraphy works can live up to people’s expectations for Wang Xianzhi’s masterpieces”. This means that if people buy imitated calligraphy works of Yang Xin, it is not disappointing because such works look enough genuine compared with Wang Xianzhi’s works.

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