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Yan Zhenqing

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693: 555:), rebelled. Lu Qi had held a grudge against Yan Zhenqing for a long time, so he sent Yan Zhenqing to negotiate with Li Xilie in the hope that Yan Zhenqing would be killed. As expected, Li Xilie tried all means to coax or threaten Yan Zhenqing to surrender, but Yan Zhenqing never wavered. According to legend, Li Xilie set up a fire in the courtyard and told Yan Zhengqing he would be burnt to death if he did not surrender. Yet, Yan Zhenqing did not show the slightest fear and walked towards the fire determinedly. Li Xilie could not help but to show respect to him, and on 23 August, Yan Zhenqing was secretly strangled at the Longxing Temple ( 638: 792:) Scripts into his own style, making the start and ending of his brushline gentler. For individual strokes, he adopted the rule of “thin horizontal and thick vertical strokes”; strokes’ widths were varied to show the curvature and flow, and the dots and oblique strokes were finished with sharp edges. For character structure, Yan style displays squared shape and modest arrangement, with spacious center portion and tight outer strokes; this structure resembles more the more dated 395: 25: 732: 126: 354:). He then gained the rare opportunity of taking a special imperial examination that was set for candidates with extraordinary talents, again excelling in it. With his outstanding academic background, Yan Zhengqing rose rapidly through the bureaucratic ladder: he was appointed vice-magistrate of Liquan District ( 715:
t. The style of the calligraphy was close to that of the early Tang calligraphers, who emphasized elegance and "fancifulness"; yet it also pursued composure and firmness in its brush strokes, structuring characters on powerful frames with tender management on brushline. In 758, he also wrote the
624:顏體), brought Chinese calligraphy to a new realm, emphasizing strength, boldness, and grandness. Like most of the master calligraphers, Yan Zhenqing learned his skill from various calligraphers, and the development of his personal style can be basically divided into three stages. 701: 699: 692: 657:
Most calligraphers agree Yan Zhenqing's early stage lasted until his fifties. During these years, Yan Zhenqing tried out different techniques and started to develop his personal genre. When he was young, he studied calligraphy under the famous calligraphers
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style had abandoned the sumptuous trend of early Tang calligraphers: it is rather upright, muscular, fitting, rich and controlled; compared to the style of the early Tang which was sloped, feminine, pretty, slim and capricious.
493:). Due to poor military deployment by the Tang government, An Lushan managed to attack Hebei by surprise, and Yan Zhenqing reluctantly abandoned his command, returning to the court in 757. He was then appointed Minister of Law ( 843:
Yan Zhenqing's style assimilated the essence of the previous five hundred years, and almost all the calligraphers after him were more or less influenced by him. In his contemporary period, another great master calligrapher,
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After the Song, the popularity of Yan Zhenqing declined slightly, as calligraphers tended towards more abstract ways of expression. However, he still held important status, and many renowned calligraphers, such as
768:). Having experienced the An Lushan Rebellion and frequent vicissitudes in his civil career, Yan Zhenqing's style was maturing. He increased waist force while wielding the brush, and blended techniques from the 813:
In the ten years before his death, Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy accomplishment peaked. His style was now established and he continuously improved on each of his works, and completed his magnum opus, the
517:) on Yan Zhenqing in recognition of his firm loyalty to the government and bravery during the An Lushan Rebellion. However, his unbending character was resented by the incumbent Grand Councilor, 483:
Thereafter Yan's force won several major battles over the rebels, including successfully cutting the rebel supply lines and regaining control over seventeen commanderies in Heshuo area. In 756,
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was imminent. With his political sensitivity, Yan Zhenqing immediately started preparing for war by fortifying the city wall and stocking up provisions. He also sent emergency memorial to
770: 823:). At this stage, he was able to fully exhibit his style at will even through a single stroke, and liveliness and passion bubbles under his modest and stately style. He also wrote 782: 451: 1094: 646: 426:
rebelled under the name of removing Yang Guozhong. The ill-prepared Tang government troops retreated with little resistance from all the prefectures in Heshuo (
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Scripts. From the point of view of spacing, his characters are compact vertically, leaving relatively more space in between lines. Hence, the emerging
1161: 371: 853: 441: 314: 1250: 711:). The stele has 34 lines, each containing 66 characters, and it was written for Emperor Xuanzong who at the time was an extremely pious 1230: 327:
princes' and a great calligrapher himself. Under the influence of family tradition and the strict instruction of his mother, Lady Yin (
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Script, which emphasizes the overall composition and flow; Chu Suiliang, on the other hand, was renowned for his graceful and refined
676: 464:, Hebei), fighting the rebels at their rear. The government in its desperation, promoted Yan Zhenqing to Deputy Minister of Finance ( 499:), but his outspokenness against corrupt higher-ranking officials resulted in himself being constantly demoted and re-promoted. 1255: 266:. His artistic accomplishment in Chinese calligraphy is equal to that of the greatest master calligraphers of history, and his 1078: 1260: 89: 1245: 61: 1240: 1178: 1145: 1126: 108: 68: 748:
This period ranges from Yan Zhenqing's fifties to sixty-five. During these years, he wrote some famous pieces like
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The trend of imitating Yan Zhenqing peaked during the Song dynasty. The "Four Grand Masters of the Song" –
582:. He was also widely mourned by the army and the people, and a temple was constructed to commemorate him. In the 306: 1235: 568:
Upon hearing of his death, Emperor Daizong closed the assembly for five days and conferred the posthumous title
229: 46: 258:; 709 – 23 August 784) was a Chinese calligrapher, military general, and politician. He was a leading Chinese 75: 346: 221: 42: 620:草書) scripts, though he also mastered other styles. His style of regular script, often called Yan script ( 57: 835:), which was revolutionary for his time, as multiple script styles were presented within the same work. 613: 942:
style, which then regained its popularity. Nowadays almost every Chinese calligraphy learner imitates
412: 686:) Style, which originated from Northern nomad minorities and focused on strength and simplicity. 637: 508: 35: 1194: 1205: 1043: 825: 484: 586:, the temple was moved to modern Shandong and from then on became a key tourist attraction. 897:
Style; Su Shi even claimed Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy to be "peerless" throughout history.
518: 440:); only Yan Zhenqing's Pingyuan sustained through. He then combined force with his cousin, 341: 487:
ascended the throne from Emperor Xuanzong and promoted Yan Zhenqing to Minister of Works (
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style when they first pick up the brush, and Yan Zhenqing's influence has also spread to
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Yan Clan, 琅邪颜氏) which served the court for many generations. One of his ancestors was
1174: 1141: 1122: 1074: 718: 380:). His uprightness and outspoken style were hailed by the common people, but angered 298: 985: 975: 408: 739:, Yan Zhenqing's masterpiece (the stele is on permanent display in Bei Lin, Xi'an) 531: 526: 524:
In 773, Yan Zhenqing and a group of friends began work on compiling the (c. 780)
381: 205: 182: 955: 870: 605: 333:), Yan Zhenqing worked hard from childhood and was well-read in literature and 267: 247: 125: 1214: 384: 210: 1068: 980: 912: 849: 845: 663: 583: 334: 324: 263: 201: 140: 133: 1095:"The Upright Brush: Yan Zhenqing's Calligraphy and Song Literati Politics" 966:
The Upright Brush: Yan Zhenqing's Calligraphy and Song Literati Politics
925: 902: 387:; as a result, in 753, he was sent out of the capital as the governor of 294: 1200: 1171:
The Upright Brush: Yan Zhenqing's Calligraphy and Song Literati Politics
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The Upright Brush: Yan Zhenqing's Calligraphy and Song Literati Politics
578:) on Yan Zhenqing on 2 March 785, along with the posthumous position of 935: 595: 594:
Yan Zhenqing is popularly held as the only calligrapher who paralleled
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By the time Yan Zhenqing took up the post of governor of Pingyuan, the
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In 734, at the age of 22, Yan Zhenqing qualified at the national wide
120: 890: 862:) thoroughly inherited Yan Zhenqing's style and made it even bolder. 419: 351: 310: 157: 24: 712: 659: 546: 542: 731: 562: 866: 461: 237: 432:) area (which includes the present day provinces of Shandong, 951: 947: 880: 437: 433: 1135: 470:), and conferred him great military power to assist General 924:
In contemporary China, the leading calligraphers like
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Chinese calligrapher, military general, and politician
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Chinese Calligraphy: Images of steles and manuscripts
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Script. Yan Zhenqing also drew inspiration from the
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Tang dynasty's territory before An Lushan Rebellion
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 1116: 921:) are said to have been inspired by Yan Zhenqing. 1206:A model of Yan Zhenqing's "A Poem of General Pei" 1119:A Dictionary of Official Titles in Imperial China 1212: 689:In 752, he wrote one of his best-known pieces, 534:of literary words that unfortunately became a 929: 916: 906: 884: 874: 857: 830: 818: 787: 775: 763: 753: 723: 706: 681: 599: 573: 556: 550: 512: 494: 488: 475: 465: 455: 445: 427: 375: 365: 355: 328: 318: 288: 189: 172: 164: 147: 1168: 1160:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( 1026:day of the 1st month of the 1st year of the 1007:day of the 8th month of the 1st year of the 848:, studied under him, and the much-respected 1138:Zhong Guo Shu Hua Ming Jia Jing Pin Da Dian 589: 109:Learn how and when to remove this message 1195:Yan Zhenqing and his Calligraphy Gallery 1173:. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. 730: 691: 393: 123: 1121:. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 743: 480:) in the suppression of the rebellion. 313:was a famous linguist while his father 297:, to a highly reputed academic family ( 252: 1213: 1066: 808: 350:(a rough equivalent of the modern day 1136:Yao Jinming; Ed. Zhu Boxiong (1998). 47:adding citations to reliable sources 18: 511:conferred the title of Duke of Lu ( 13: 1251:Tang dynasty generals from Shaanxi 287:Yan Zhenqing was born in Wannian ( 14: 1272: 1231:8th-century Chinese calligraphers 1188: 961: 636: 305:, a scholar-official during the 124: 23: 1073:. University of Hawai'i Press. 938:conducted extended research on 719:Draft of a Requiem to My Nephew 650:Draft of a Requiem to My Nephew 627: 307:Southern and Northern Dynasties 34:needs additional citations for 1087: 1060: 1036: 1017: 998: 907: 875: 858: 831: 764: 716:influential calligraphy piece 309:. His great-great-grandfather 242: 233: 225: 1: 1256:People of An Lushan Rebellion 1099:Association for Asian Studies 991: 344:and was granted the title of 282: 1044:"A Poem of General Pei 裴將軍詩" 838: 502: 402: 277: 262:and a loyal governor of the 7: 1261:Taizi taishi (Tang dynasty) 1117:Hucker, Charles O. (1985). 969: 450:), who was the governor of 323:) was private tutor to the 274:, has often been imitated. 181: 156: 139: 10: 1277: 1246:Tang dynasty calligraphers 666:. Zhang Xu was skilled in 598:, the "calligraphy sage" ( 199: 930: 917: 885: 819: 788: 776: 754: 724: 707: 682: 604:). He specialized in the 600: 574: 557: 551: 530:, which was a 360-volume 521:, and cost him his life. 513: 495: 489: 476: 466: 456: 446: 428: 376: 366: 356: 329: 319: 293:), near the Tang capital 289: 190: 173: 165: 148: 132: 893:– all studied the 590:Calligraphic achievement 1241:Politicians from Xi'an 1197:at China Online Museum 1140:. Zhejiang Edu Press. 740: 696: 399: 1169:McNair, Amy. (1998). 1048:Vincent's Calligraphy 852:Period calligrapher, 826:A Poem to General Pei 734: 695: 397: 1067:McNair, Amy (1998). 1030:era, per vol.231 of 1011:era, per vol.231 of 760:Magu Shan Xiantan Ji 744:Consolidating period 362:Investigating Censor 342:imperial examination 43:improve this article 809:Consummating period 415:, but was ignored. 389:Pingyuan Commandery 230:traditional Chinese 1236:Artists from Xi'an 741: 697: 400: 222:simplified Chinese 1080:978-0-8248-1922-4 750:Guojia Miao Stele 547:military governor 418:In December 755, 198: 197: 119: 118: 111: 93: 1268: 1184: 1165: 1159: 1151: 1132: 1109: 1108: 1106: 1105: 1091: 1085: 1084: 1064: 1058: 1057: 1055: 1054: 1040: 1034: 1021: 1015: 1002: 986:An Shi Rebellion 976:Tang dynasty art 933: 932: 920: 919: 910: 909: 888: 887: 878: 877: 861: 860: 834: 833: 822: 821: 791: 790: 779: 778: 767: 766: 757: 756: 727: 726: 710: 709: 685: 684: 640: 603: 602: 577: 576: 560: 559: 554: 553: 516: 515: 498: 497: 492: 491: 479: 478: 469: 468: 459: 458: 449: 448: 431: 430: 413:Emperor Xuanzong 409:An Shi Rebellion 379: 378: 369: 368: 359: 358: 332: 331: 322: 321: 292: 291: 256: 244: 235: 227: 193: 192: 176: 175: 168: 167: 151: 150: 128: 121: 114: 107: 103: 100: 94: 92: 51: 27: 19: 1276: 1275: 1271: 1270: 1269: 1267: 1266: 1265: 1211: 1210: 1191: 1181: 1153: 1152: 1148: 1129: 1113: 1112: 1103: 1101: 1093: 1092: 1088: 1081: 1065: 1061: 1052: 1050: 1042: 1041: 1037: 1022: 1018: 1003: 999: 994: 972: 964: 841: 815:Yan Qinli Stele 811: 746: 737:Yan Qinli Stele 729: 655: 654: 653: 648: 643: 642: 641: 630: 592: 532:rime dictionary 527:Yunhai Jingyuan 509:Emperor Daizong 505: 460:) (present day 405: 382:Grand Councilor 285: 280: 254:Yen Chen-ch'ing 215: 183:Posthumous name 170: 115: 104: 98: 95: 52: 50: 40: 28: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1274: 1264: 1263: 1258: 1253: 1248: 1243: 1238: 1233: 1228: 1223: 1209: 1208: 1203: 1198: 1190: 1189:External links 1187: 1186: 1185: 1179: 1166: 1146: 1133: 1127: 1111: 1110: 1086: 1079: 1059: 1035: 1032:Zizhi Tongjian 1016: 1013:Zizhi Tongjian 996: 995: 993: 990: 989: 988: 983: 978: 971: 968: 963: 962:Relevant books 960: 956:Southeast Asia 871:Huang Tingjian 840: 837: 810: 807: 745: 742: 704: 645: 644: 635: 634: 633: 632: 631: 629: 626: 591: 588: 504: 501: 485:Emperor Suzong 404: 401: 360:), then later 284: 281: 279: 276: 268:regular script 196: 195: 186: 179: 178: 163:Yan Pingyuan ( 161: 154: 153: 144: 137: 136: 130: 129: 117: 116: 58:"Yan Zhenqing" 31: 29: 22: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1273: 1262: 1259: 1257: 1254: 1252: 1249: 1247: 1244: 1242: 1239: 1237: 1234: 1232: 1229: 1227: 1224: 1222: 1219: 1218: 1216: 1207: 1204: 1202: 1199: 1196: 1193: 1192: 1182: 1180:0-8248-2002-9 1176: 1172: 1167: 1163: 1157: 1149: 1147:7-5338-2769-4 1143: 1139: 1134: 1130: 1128:0-8047-1193-3 1124: 1120: 1115: 1114: 1100: 1096: 1090: 1082: 1076: 1072: 1071: 1063: 1049: 1045: 1039: 1033: 1029: 1025: 1020: 1014: 1010: 1006: 1001: 997: 987: 984: 982: 979: 977: 974: 973: 967: 959: 957: 953: 949: 945: 941: 937: 927: 922: 914: 904: 898: 896: 892: 882: 872: 868: 863: 855: 851: 847: 836: 828: 827: 816: 806: 803: 799: 795: 785: 784: 773: 772: 761: 751: 738: 733: 721: 720: 714: 703: 702: 700: 694: 690: 687: 679: 678: 673: 669: 665: 661: 651: 647: 639: 625: 623: 619: 615: 611: 607: 597: 587: 585: 581: 571: 566: 564: 548: 544: 539: 537: 533: 529: 528: 522: 520: 510: 500: 486: 481: 473: 463: 453: 443: 439: 435: 425: 421: 416: 414: 410: 396: 392: 390: 386: 385:Yang Guozhong 383: 373: 372:Palace Censor 363: 353: 349: 348: 343: 338: 336: 326: 316: 312: 308: 304: 300: 296: 275: 273: 269: 265: 261: 257: 255: 249: 245: 239: 231: 223: 219: 213: 212: 207: 203: 187: 184: 180: 162: 159: 155: 145: 142: 141:Courtesy Name 138: 135: 131: 127: 122: 113: 110: 102: 91: 88: 84: 81: 77: 74: 70: 67: 63: 60: –  59: 55: 54:Find sources: 48: 44: 38: 37: 32:This article 30: 26: 21: 20: 1170: 1137: 1118: 1102:. 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Other Names
Courtesy Name
Alias
Posthumous name
Chinese name
family name
Yan
simplified Chinese
traditional Chinese
pinyin
Wade–Giles
calligrapher
Tang dynasty
regular script
Chang'an
Langya
Yan Zhitui
Southern and Northern Dynasties

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