A Research On Sanxitang Copybook For Calligraphy

From the overlook of the ancient carved copybooks development and the overall care on Sanxitang copybook for calligraphy, this text carry out comprehensive and integrated researches from different perspectives, at the same time, we pay more attention to the textual researches and treatise.It includes background of its compilation and engraving, innovation of the styles, the selection of copys, the selection of prefaces and postscripts, the selection of signets, engraving, forged scripts and so on.The emergence of a series of large copybooks for calligraphy carved officially must have its appropriate historical and cultural background.On the one hand,there must be relationship between the compilation of Sanxitang copybook for calligraphy and the attention paid by early emperors of Qing Dynasty to the traditional Chinese culture.On the other hand,an important reason lies in rich painting collections in the storage of Qianlong government and the prevalence of calligraphy compilation and engraving , officially and privately in the early Qing Dynasty.Compared with the previous officially compilation,this edition is more innovative.Unlike previous copybooks for calligraphy engraved officially,which accord great importance to emperors'calligraphies,it introduces Zhong Yao's calligraphy work firstly,and then Wang Xizhi's.Therefore,it is the first official copybook for calligraphy that made ture of the Zhong and Wang's orthodoxy.Carefully choosen manuscripts from the storage of Qianlong governmeng were adopted in the copybook.The selection was related to grade of the calligraphy storage,the emporers'aesthetic tastes and the fashion on calligraphy in early Qing Dynasty.Prefaces and postscripts and signets were adopted in the copybook,too. Prefaces and postscripts that is offer up praise and adoration to the writer and that is about virtuosi's model works were engraved on the book, otherwise,those raised doubts to the works or say nothing about the calligraphy but the words itsself or about the price of the work or written in seal font or clerical font were abandoned.On signets selection for the copybook it prefered those on virtuosi's model works in goernment storages at all times. Selection of private signets on virtuosi's model works likely depends on its content.It quite different on selection of signets over their owners'status.Necessary adjustment has been made to let tilted lines regular in plate making.Word gaps, row spacing and position of lines were also adjusted for typeseting. Signets were engraved on plates either on the scripts as it was or separate from its scripts on another page.Following virtuosi's remarks and emperors'tastes at all times,and even existence of grade difference between scripts ,forged scripts were taken into the copybook.The copybook has many virtuosi's works in small regular font in the majority.It is very banausic and helpful for students to practice imperial examinations.Soon after Sanxitang copybook for calligraphy was finished, Sequel to Sanxitang copybook for calligraphy came into being,which followed its former format but unlike the former it's a block-printed edition.