A Historical And Theoretical Research Of "Shu Cong Yin Ru"

In the history of the art of seal-engraving,the theory of "Shu Cong Yin Ru(one masters the calligraphy from seal-engraving),Yin Cong Shu Chu(one establishes his/her style of seal-engraving from calligraphy)" leaves profound influences.The artists and scholars often generalize the theory by "Yin Cong Shu Chu",yet rarely pay attention to "Shu Cong Yin Ru".Looking back on history,the development of the art of seal-engraving has also affected the works of calligraphy in different aspects and degrees.Especially after the middle of Qing Dynasty,when the style of seal-engraving and calligraphy are highly integrated,calligraphy and seal-engraving are bound to influence each other,which is also the dialectical law of development.In this context,the author tries to make a further investigation on the relationship between seal-engraving and calligraphy from the perspective of "Shu Cong Yin Ru".Based on the revelation of the quasi pattern characteristics of seal characters,the apprehension of the manuscript of seal-engraving as a key link of the interaction between seal-engraving and calligraphy,as well as the history of the relationship between the two,this paper proposes that the influences of seal-engraving on calligraphy have been seen since the Song and Yuan Dynasties,which can be further traced back to the formation of "Mou Zhuan"(i.e.a character especially designed for seal)in Qin and Han Dynasties.Based on the collective research of Ding Jing,Jiang Ren,Deng Shilu,Yi Bingshou,Chen Hongshou,Wu Changshuo,Huang Mufu,Qi Baishi,Wang Fu'an,etc.,the author contends that seal-engraving exerts significant impacts on calligraphy in aura,character,stroke and constitution.In the aspect of width and depth,the influences have also increased over time.At the same time,the notion of "Shu Cong Yin Ru" has developed from sub-consciously to consciously among artists.In conclusion,"Shu Cong Yin Ru" is not an accidental phenomenon but a logical necessity in the development of history.