Artist: Li Yong (678-747)

Date: Tang (618-907)

Material: Ink on paper

• Object Type：
  • CALLIGRAPHY
• Location：
  • Chinese Calligraphy Gallery
• Tag：
  • rubbing stele fahua temple running script album leaf li yong tang ink paper

Li Yong (678-747), also known by his zi (designated name) Taihe, was native to Jiangxia in Ezhou (present-day Wuhan, Hubei province). He was the Prefect of Beihai, so he was also known as Li Beihai. Adept in calligraphy, he was especially skilled in running script. The inscription on this stele exhibits a gentle and harmonious style, exuding a natural and brisk charm. The stele was carved in the 23^rd year (735) of the Kaiyuan era, when the artist was 58 years old. The original stele was long lost. This is the only surviving Song dynasty rubbing, authenticated and collected by He Shaoji of the Qing dynasty.