Artist: Wang Xizhi (303-361)

Date: Eastern Jin (317-420)

Dimensions: Height 23.5 cm, Width 26.0 cm

Material: Ink on paper

• Object Type：
  • CALLIGRAPHY
• Tag：
  • shang yu tie cursive script handscroll wang xizhi eastern jin ink paper

Wang Xizhi (303-361), also known by his zi (designated name) Yishao, was a native of Linyi in Langya. He later moved to Shaoxing. Serving as the General of Youjun, Wang was also called "Wang Youjun". Wang Xizhi absorbed the expertise of many master calligraphers and had a profound learning of various scripts of calligraphy. He pioneered new trends in running and cursive scripts. This scroll is Wang Xizhi's letter to his friend. Although this work is a copy made in the Tang dynasty, it shows the forceful brushstrokes and elegant structures with a remaining influence from the early cursive script.