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Drunk monk a master of cursive calligraphy
By Zhao Dan |
March 28, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE calligraphy reached its peak in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) when all the styles were fully developed, especially the cursive and semi-cursive styles.
The calligraphy works of Huai Su, the top cursive style master, are exalted examples of highly developed calligraphy in the artistic environment of a prosperous society.
Huai Su's works are categorized as "extremely-cursive calligraphy." "Ku Sun Tie" is Huai Su's most famous masterpiece and is displayed in the Shanghai Museum.
Although it consists of only 14 characters, its artistic value has impressed viewers and collectors for thousands of years.
"Ku Sun Tie," meaning "Calligraphy work of Bitter Bamboo Shoots," is a letter Huai Su wrote to his friends.
It says, "Bitter bamboo shoots and tea are splendid. Please come here as soon as possible. Regards, Huai Su."
According to legend about this calligraphy work, Huai Su was extremely drunk, feeling hot and restless when he penned it.
He quenched his thirst with tea and delicious bamboo shoots and, feeling very comfortable and happy, wrote this message to his friends, asking them to bring more to him.
Another interpretation is that he was inviting friends to enjoy bamboo shoots and tea with him.
The characters reveal the master's flexible control over the brush strokes and the strength and rhythm is evident in the work.
Huai Su was a Buddhist monk but he loved drinking. It was said that most of his masterpieces were inspired by alcohol, so he was also known as the "drunk monk."
The artwork was stamped by lots of seals, indicating that it had been appreciated and kept by numerous well-known collectors in the Song (960-1279), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty marked the piece with his seal, and wrote "Elegant calligraphy of drunk monk" on it in praise of the work.
The calligraphy works of Huai Su, the top cursive style master, are exalted examples of highly developed calligraphy in the artistic environment of a prosperous society.
Huai Su's works are categorized as "extremely-cursive calligraphy." "Ku Sun Tie" is Huai Su's most famous masterpiece and is displayed in the Shanghai Museum.
Although it consists of only 14 characters, its artistic value has impressed viewers and collectors for thousands of years.
"Ku Sun Tie," meaning "Calligraphy work of Bitter Bamboo Shoots," is a letter Huai Su wrote to his friends.
It says, "Bitter bamboo shoots and tea are splendid. Please come here as soon as possible. Regards, Huai Su."
According to legend about this calligraphy work, Huai Su was extremely drunk, feeling hot and restless when he penned it.
He quenched his thirst with tea and delicious bamboo shoots and, feeling very comfortable and happy, wrote this message to his friends, asking them to bring more to him.
Another interpretation is that he was inviting friends to enjoy bamboo shoots and tea with him.
The characters reveal the master's flexible control over the brush strokes and the strength and rhythm is evident in the work.
Huai Su was a Buddhist monk but he loved drinking. It was said that most of his masterpieces were inspired by alcohol, so he was also known as the "drunk monk."
The artwork was stamped by lots of seals, indicating that it had been appreciated and kept by numerous well-known collectors in the Song (960-1279), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty marked the piece with his seal, and wrote "Elegant calligraphy of drunk monk" on it in praise of the work.
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