Research On The Art Of Calligraphy In Chengdu City During The Republic Of China

Since ancient times,Chengdu has been a place where scholars gather and arts accumulate,and during the Republic of China,there had been a flood of local and out-of-town artists of Chinese painting and calligraphy engaging in artistic activities there,making Chengdu a solid base of arts behind the scene of the Anti-Japanese War.Therefore,to carry out research on the calligraphy arts in Chengdu city during this era is an unmissable part of the contemporary research of Chinese calligraphy.The article starts from the discussion on cultural environment and historic origins of calligraphy of Chengdu areas,and systematically analyzes artistic patterns,representative calligraphers,their activities,overall writing styles and so on,exploring the prosperity of Chengdu calligraphy back then,its social impact and influences on calligraphy development afterwards.Depending on the different life experience and social background of calligraphers who were active in Chengdu during that era,we can categorize them into three types – scholars,officials and professional,among which scholars,that did education works and had profound cultural literacy,account for the vast majority.Thus,there were mainly three styles of writing back then: vigorous inscription-style,elegant signature-style,and a combination of these styles that embody both firmness and softness.Because of the composition of calligraphers,a mix of inscription-signature style embodying implicitly and golden mean was that time’s main stream Chengdu calligraphy.Besides,as the political center migrated towards interior regions,the area of Chengdu was historically prosperous in cultural arts.The large number of gathering calligraphers,exhibitions and activities not only promoted a great atmosphere for calligraphy arts and enhanced citizens’ abilities of art appreciation,but also served as an important back-up for the anti-aggression War.With the lead of the cultural spirits,mentalities and artistic techniques of those calligraphers,the art developed and derived from this same origin,gradually forming a unique Chengdu calligraphy setup which is geographically chrematistic and influencing to contemporary Chinese calligraphy.