Page 139 - Gan's Family History

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Yan's coffin was not for himself the relationship between
transported back to Chang'an until nature and calligraphy.
786 when his generals killed Li Xilie Disappointed, Yan left to accept
and the rebellion in Huaixi was put a ministership. Yet his love of
down. calligraphy and fascination with
Zhang's work drove him, at the age of
38, to leave his ministership and try
to study with Zhang again. This time,
An important political figure Yan impressed by the depth of Yan's
Zhenqing was straightforward, sincerity, Zhang passed on to him 12
41
loyal and faithful to the Emperor. In secret methods for using the brush,
keeping with the Chinese saying that techniques derived from Cai Yong's
a person's character is reflected in Nine Forces Essay.
his or her calligraphy, Yan's writing,
in particular his Kai Shu (Regular
Style), was very solemn and dignified,
powerful and heavy described as
having muscles like warriors. This
style, which is tall of energy, is called
Yan's Style.
Yan's father had passed away
when he was very young and he grew
up quite poor. Young Yan although
from a very famous family, lacked
money to buy ink brush, or paper,
and therefore practiced his
calligraphy by writing with yellow
mud on blank walls.
A great admirer of Crazy Zhang,
Yan, at age 22, visited the great
calligrapher. He begged Zhang to
teach him calligraphy but the master
was interested in little else besides
drinking and sleeping. Determined,
Yan stayed with Zhang for two years
yet learned little from him. Zhang's
only instruction was for the young
man to observe nature and to learn
42

41 Extracted from “Behind The Brush Strokes – Tales L. Penrose. Published by Graham Brash Pty. Ltd. Shows
from Chinese Calligraphy” by Khoo Seow Hwa & Nancy the Solid and strong Kai shu (Regular Style) of Yen
L. Penrose. Published by Graham Brash Pty. Ltd. Zhenqing

42 Extracted from “Behind The Brush Strokes – Tales
from Chinese Calligraphy” by Khoo Seow Hwa & Nancy