Qian Jia Scholars Calligraphy Study

Chinese calligraphy is an important component of splendid traditional Chinese cultures and also a significant member in the big family of national arts. Studying on Chinese calligraphy earnestly has a profound effect on inheriting this traditional culture and promoting the healthy development of this art class.The research on Chinese calligraphy can be done from different angles. For example, people can study on a certain style of calligraphy, or calligraphy having different carriers, or calligraphy in different dynasties, or different calligraphers' calligraphy. This paper focuses on the calligraphy of Qianjia scholars (scholars during the reign of QianLong Emperor and JiaQing Emperor).In this paper, the author values and draws on the research results achieved by contemporary scholars, meanwhile doesn't stick fast to others' views. As for the calligraphy of Qianjia scholars, the author has studied it in terms of the macro theories and the textual research of micro materials. Specifically, this paper can be divided into six chapters.Chapter one, Qianjia scholars' calligraphy in academic field. Qianjia scholars looked down upon calligraphy as "petty skill", "superficial knowledge" and "accompaniment of learning". However, we found that they held different attitudes towards calligraphy. Some scholars extremely took the art of calligraphy and calligraphers lightly, while the others showed great interest in calligraphy although they also belittled it.Chapter two, Qianjia scholars' calligraphic practice. In general, in all their lifetime, their reading period has become the course of practicing calligraphy and composing their bookstand as well as the course of training. For them, the calligraphy study, reading and knowledge research complement each other. Their calligraphic practice existed in literary reading and in the course of grinding history. Besides knowledge, they have independent calligraphy learning activities. For many times, these scholars mainly cared about the practical value of calligraphy.Chapter three, Qianjia scholars' researches on epigraphy and philology. Qianjia scholars paid close attention to these two branches of learning. Because both the epigraphy and philology are related to the shape of characters, they are of special significance to calligraphy. Qianjia scholars have done intensive research on these two fields and achieved great successes which laid a solid foundation for their calligraphy, especially for their seal character and lishu (official script, an ancient style of calligraphy).Chapter four, Qianjia scholars' calligraphic thoughts. They had not many books intended for calligraphy, but this can't deny that they had their own thoughts on it. Firstly, they all considered calligraphy as something unorthodox or trivial; secondly, they think reading widely and increasing one's knowledge is the most important way of raising the calligraphic taste. Finally, they upheld the ancient people's attitudes to calligraphy but did not cling to them. Their thoughts are plain which can stand the test.Chapter five, Qianjia scholars' achievements on calligraphy. Qianjia scholars looked down upon calligraphy as "petty skill", "superficial knowledge" and "accompaniment of learning", and some of them were even rather scornful of calligraphy. But their erudition, profound knowledge and incessant practice all had served as contributing factors to fundamentally guarantee the aesthetic taste of their works. However, their outstanding academic achievements had eclipsed those on calligraphy to which they hardly paid attention.Chapter six, Qianjia scholars' contribution to the calligraphy of the Qing Dynasty. Their contribution to the calligraphy of Qing Dynasty lies in two aspects. The first one is their contribution to calligraphy. They left large numbers of precious calligraphic works to the later generations. The second lies in their remarks on calligraphy. Their thoughts and perspectives on calligraphy, which they showed intentionally or unintentionally in the process of studying on classics and history are important components of the treasure-house of the calligraphic literature.In short, the author's major intention in this paper is to investigate their calligraphy outlook and the road of their calligraphic practice, as well as their related academic research, seek their calligraphic thoughts and summarize their achievements and contributions to the calligraphy of the Qing dynasty.