Knowra Yan Zhenqing Yan Zhenqing Yan Zhenqing (709–785) was a Tang dynasty official and calligrapher whose forceful regular script established a major tradition in Chinese calligraphy.
Chinese calligraphy : The art of writing Chinese characters with a brush or other tools, valued for both legibility and expressive form. Yan’s work belongs to this tradition and helped define its standards.
Yan Qinli Stele : A monumental stele inscription written by Yan Zhenqing in memory of his father, Yan Qinli. Its mature regular script is a leading example of Yan’s broad, weighty style.
An Lushan Rebellion : A devastating rebellion against the Tang dynasty that began in 755 and lasted until 763. The conflict defined Yan’s public service and inspired his memorial for his slain nephew.
Yan-Liu tradition : A calligraphic tradition that treats Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan as paired models of Tang regular script. The pairing made Yan’s style a durable standard for later calligraphers.
Regular script : A standardized Chinese calligraphic script whose characters have clearly separated strokes and balanced, legible forms. Yan’s mature style became one of regular script’s most influential models.
Draft of a Requiem to My Nephew : A calligraphic draft by Yan Zhenqing commemorating his nephew Yan Jiming, killed during the An Lushan Rebellion. Its altered strokes and forceful rhythm reveal emotion within Yan’s spontaneous writing.
Yan Gaoqing : A Tang official and relative of Yan Zhenqing who resisted An Lushan’s forces and was killed during the rebellion. His resistance illustrates the family’s wartime loyalty that shaped Yan’s public legacy.
Four Great Masters of Regular Script : A traditional grouping of Ouyang Xun, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, and Zhao Mengfu as major models of regular script. Yan’s inclusion reflects the lasting canonical status of his writing.
Seal script : An ancient family of Chinese scripts characterized by formal, often rounded strokes and relatively uniform line weight. Yan studied older script forms as resources for his own brushwork.
Magu Immortal Altar Record : A famous calligraphic inscription by Yan Zhenqing, traditionally dated to 771, recording a Daoist altar dedication. Its monumental regular script displays the controlled strength associated with Yan’s mature work.
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