Study On Li Dongyang’s Calligrphy Theory And Creation

During initial period of Ming Dynasty which made literary and artistic creation dreary. At that time, Taigeti Style prevailed in the literary and calligraphy circles, which was kind of outdated. Therefore, intellectuals looked forward to past culture and sought spiritual, as a result of which the antiquarian trend rose. As a representative of the trend, Li Dongyang was the son of a government official and was greatly influenced by orthodoxy. For him, preserving and reviving traditional culture was the only choice. However, Li Dongyang also opposed the invariable of Taigeti Style and attempted to get change through the retro.Former studies of Li Dongyang mainly focused on his literary creation, moral quality and ideology. Only some books on calligraphy provides simple description about his calligraphy. People hold different views on his calligraphy, with some appreciating his handwriting while others thinking that his handwriting belongs to Taigeti Style. In the meantime, there has not been specific description on his calligraphy theory.On the basis of previous studies, this thesis makes an attempt to study the calligraphy theory of Li Dongyang and his creation by combing historic documents and Li Dongyang’s works handed down from Ming Dynasty.The paper consists of three parts.The first part explores Li Dongming’s calligraphic thought on the basis of his literary thought. He approved getting change through the retro, with the aesthetic of focusing on the content rather on the shape and the view on creativity of not adhering to stereotype and seeking new idea. He pursued powerful and elegant calligraphy, holding the idea of going down in history with excellent handwriting. His comments on Yan Zhenqing, Huai Su, Mi Fu and Zhao Mengfu reflected his aesthetic standards on calligraphy.The second part researches Li Dongyang’s calligraphy and analyzes his seal script, regular script and running script from the perspectives of the technique of writing, art of composition and structure.The third part discusses the influence of Li Dongming’s calligraphy, which broke the shroud of Taigeti Style during initial period of Ming Dynasty. The study on Li Dongming’s calligraphy is significant for the research on the calligraphy in Ming Dynasty and the calligraphy in the history. The paper conducts superficial study.