The Aesthetic Value Of Sun Guoting’s Treatise On Calligraphy

Treatise on Calligraphy is a masterpiece of the famous calligrapher Sun Guoting, who lived in the Tang dynasty. Sun Guoting practiced his own theory thought in the creation of calligraphy, so that this works not only has the value of art appreciation, but also has the value of theoretical study. Overall, the theoretical value of Treatise on Calligraphy is mainly manifested in three aspects. Firstly, it clarified the expression features of calligraphy. Secondly, it emphasized the unique creation psychology of calligraphy. Thirdly, it highlighted the aesthetic realm of calligraphy.Treatise on Calligraphy clarified the expression features of calligraphy. On the one hand, the expression features of calligraphy was highlighted along with the mature of cursive. On the other hand, was obscured by the utilitarian function of calligraphy and the mutual analogy between figure and calligraphy. There are two aspects to inspire Sun Guoting clarified the expression features of calligraphy, the first one is calligraphy’s law of development, and the second one is his theoretical attainment and writing experience of calligraphy. He revealed the expression features of calligraphy, and found that the premise of it is the writer’s sophisticated of chirography and the function of it is to make the calligraphy works timeless.Treatise on Calligraphy emphasized the unique creative psychology of calligraphy. Sun Guoting classified the Wu He and Wu Guai into three categories: Aspiration, Utensil and Time. The Aspiration includes Shenqing Wuxian and Xinju Tiliu, Ganhui Xunzhi and Yihui Shiqu, Ouran Yushu and Qingdai Shoulan, they are all related to the psychology of creation. The Utensil includes Zhimo Xiangfa and Zhimo Buchen, while the Time includes Shihe Qirun and Fengyan Rizao, and they are the external conditions, which are related to the psychology of creation too. Sun Guoting summarized these conditions and systematized them.Treatise on Calligraphy highlighted the aesthetic realm of calligraphy. There are three aspects which are related to the aesthetic realm of calligraphy. The first one is the beauty of neutralization, which is abstracted from the three stages of learning calligraphy, including Chuxue Pingzheng, Wuzhui Xianjue and Fugui Pingzheng. The second one is the beauty of Zhiqi Heping and Fenggui Ziyuan, which is the combination of the creation of calligraphy and the life realm of the calligrapher. The third one is abstracting the beauty of Guli and Qiuli, and calling for the beauty of fulfillment from them.