Seal carver uses style of masters
By Zhao Dan |
August 23, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SEAL carving has always enjoyed special status in Chinese art history. The seal was chosen as an emblem of the Beijing 2008 Olympics for its cultural importance.
In China, there is an influential academic association linked to seal carving, called "Xiling Yin She?(Xiling Seal Society) which was established in 1904 in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
All of its members are top artists and masters in seal carving, calligraphy and painting.
The first president of the society was Wu Changshuo, a master who enjoyed national fame for his brilliant artistic skills. He lived in Shanghai for many years and is regarded as one of its most famous artists.
One of his seal carvings, "Dao Wu Shuang,?is displayed in Shanghai Museum. "Dao Wu Shuang,?literally meaning "unparalleled authority,?is a quote from Han Feizi, a philosopher in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
The seal, engraved on stone, is an example of the unique craftsmanship of "broken carving,?which leaves the seal broken deliberately to intensify the contrast between the two different colors of white and red.
The unusual space left at the top and bottom of the seal creates remarkable strength for the characters in the middle.
The strokes of the characters are not only bold and rough, but also delicate and refined, pushing the layout of the seal to an exquisite and artistic conception.
Wu imitated the style of ancient seal carving in the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties, and mixed it with the style of ancient inscriptions on metals and stones.
The distinctive layout he created for the seal is highly revered in the artistic world.
In China, there is an influential academic association linked to seal carving, called "Xiling Yin She?(Xiling Seal Society) which was established in 1904 in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
All of its members are top artists and masters in seal carving, calligraphy and painting.
The first president of the society was Wu Changshuo, a master who enjoyed national fame for his brilliant artistic skills. He lived in Shanghai for many years and is regarded as one of its most famous artists.
One of his seal carvings, "Dao Wu Shuang,?is displayed in Shanghai Museum. "Dao Wu Shuang,?literally meaning "unparalleled authority,?is a quote from Han Feizi, a philosopher in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
The seal, engraved on stone, is an example of the unique craftsmanship of "broken carving,?which leaves the seal broken deliberately to intensify the contrast between the two different colors of white and red.
The unusual space left at the top and bottom of the seal creates remarkable strength for the characters in the middle.
The strokes of the characters are not only bold and rough, but also delicate and refined, pushing the layout of the seal to an exquisite and artistic conception.
Wu imitated the style of ancient seal carving in the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties, and mixed it with the style of ancient inscriptions on metals and stones.
The distinctive layout he created for the seal is highly revered in the artistic world.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
