Earlier Ming Dynasty, Ni Zan Yuan Dynasty Calligraphy & Culture

Chinese calligraphy, as a kind of mental culture, is greatly influenced by the Chinese culture in every aspect. It is also influenced by seclusion culture, a unique cultural phenomenon in ancient China.Seclusion, in contrast with an official career, was a significant component of traditional Chinese culture, with far-reaching and profound impacts on the psychology of Chinese scholars and the Chinese nation. A supplement to ancient mainstream culture, seclusion culture, despite its negative affects, had objectively promoted the formation and thriving of literary styles, broadened the artistic vision, sublimed the cultural and artistic appreciation, and expanded the category of art and literature.Calligraphy, a major category of Chinese art and literature, no doubt had been affected by seclusion culture. As generations of hermit literati and scholar-officials had pursued a seclusive life and taken calligraphy as a medium in seeking spiritual and personality freedom, they developed the aesthetic definition of calligraphy, that is "revelation of one's mentality", and thus greatly enhanced the artistic realm of calligraphy.A continuation of the previous times, the reclusion culture of the Yuan Dynasty showed both positive and negative features under the new historical background. Yang Weizhen and Ni Zan were two representative recluse calligraphers in late Yuan, whose personality and cultural mentality affected their thoughts and creation deeply. The factors affecting their artistic ideas and production might be many, but this thesis holds that seclusion culture was among the most important. Most Yuan hermit calligraphers were impacted, more or less, by seclusion culture in terms of calligraphic function, contents, aesthetic tastes, and exchanges, which left impressive brand on their artistic thoughts and production. This thesis also studies the limits of calligraphy in representing culture. After the Yuan Dynasty, the seclusion culture continued to influence the development of calligraphy in the following Ming and Qing dynasties.