A Study On Ye Changchi's Calligraphic Theories

Ye Changchi (1849-1917), also named Ju Shang, was a famous epigraphist and calligraphic theorist of the late Qing dynasty. This thesis will focus on the study of Ye Changchi's calligraphic theories.The thesis discusses Ye Changchi's calligraphic theories from the following three aspects.Firstly, it discusses the academic background of the late Qing dynasty and Ye Changchi's achievement in epigraphy.The renaissance of epigraphy in the early Qing dynasty attracted many calligraphers to take part in the study of epigraphy, and many sholars were expert both in calligraphy and epigraphy, which became a vogue of the time and lasted till the late Qing dynasty. Ye Changchi was also influenced by this trend, and made great achievement in both calligraphy and epigraphy. Secondly, the thesis examines the stele-learning (Bei school) feature in Ye Changchi's calligraphic theories. As an epigraphist, Ye Changchi was deeply influenced by the Bei School, but what makes him great is his successful blending of Bei school and Tie school in his theories. Finally, the thesis emphasizes Ye Changchi's theories on calligraphy history, which is characterized with the Bei school inclination. Generally speaking, Ye Changchi was able to make objective and impartial evaluation on the achievements and shortcomings of the calligraphers of his time and the previous age. However, as an epigraphist, he sometimes would judge calligraphers and calligraphy works with the criteria of the Bei school, and his theories on calligraphy history is also characterized with the Bei school inclination. Nevertheless, Ye Changchi's achievement makes his theories on calligraphy history valuable as references for scholars who are devoted to the study of calligraphy history.