Zhang Zhao's Calligraphy Academic Research

Zhang Zhao(1691-1745),also known as De Tian,Jing Nan,Tianping Jushi,was born in Songjiang,Shanghai.He obtained title of Tien Si in Kangxi 49 years of Qing Dynasty(1709)and became minister of justice in Yongzheng 11 years(1735).He was relieved of the post and put in prison due to the incompetence in suppressing the riot of Miao nationality in Guizhou in Yongzheng 13 years(1735).The post of minister of justice was reinstated in Qianlong 7 years(1742).He died in Qianlong 10 years(1745),with posthumous title of WenminZhang Zhao plays important role in the calligraphy history of Qing Dynasty as a calligrapher.He was the most important calligrapher in Kangxi,Yongzheng and Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty and the representative of official calligraphy style.His calligraphies are the important reference for studying the calligraphy development from Kangxi period to Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty.The article has two parts,the first part includes six chapters:Chapter one is the introduction of Zhang Zhao's family,titles conferred by the emperors,his official career,political ability and honors brought to his family and himself.His family background and official experience is the determining factor of personal growth and affects closely the learning of calligraphy.Chapter two clarifies the teachers of Zhang Zhao and the facts that he had learned from famous calligraphers of Wei,Jin,Yuan and Ming Dynasties,makes it clear that he takes Jin calligraphers and Wang Xizi as fundamentals and learns from other calligraphers,drawing a conclusion that Zhang Zhao's calligraphy concept of taking Jin Calligraphers and Wang Xizi as model.Chapter three introduces Zhang Zhao's relationship with Wang Guangxin Family in Song Jiang,Gao Shiqi Family in Wulin,Shen Quan Family in Song Jiang,Jiang Tingxi Family in Changshu,Kong Family in Qufu and their calligraphy & painting appreciation activities,proposing that their relationship played an important role in Zhang Zhao's calligraphy learning,style and influence.Chapter four introduces the admiration of Emperor Kangxi,Yongzheng and Qianlong through their calligraphy interaction,postscript as well as imperial carving by Emperor Qianlong,the Emperor's admiration determined directly Zhang Zhao's influence and status in calligraphy history.Chapter five introduces Zhang Zhao's interaction of calligraphy with family members,royal families,fellow officials,famous calligraphers and painters and fellow townsmen etc,which played important role in expanding Zhang Zhao's calligraphy influence in official circles.Chapter six studies the calligraphies of Zhang Zhao in Imperial Tianpingzai Model Calligraphy of Qianlong period and Yuhonglou Model Calligraphy by Kong Jisu,points out Zhang Zhao's reversed impact on Emperor Qianlong's calligraphy concept and proposes further that Qing Dynasty took Jin calligraphers and Wang Xizi as fundamentals,other than taking Dong Qichang and Zhao Mengfu as models and Zhang Zhao also learned extensively from ancient calligraphers including Dong Qichang and Zhao Mengfu.The second part of the article is long draft edition of Chronological Biography of Zhang Zhao,which revises and supplements the author's original Chronological Biography of Zhang Zhao in an aim for covering as much details as possible.