China
Calligraphy/The Scholar-Gentry
Calligraphy:
China is one of the world’s oldest ongoing civilizations and it’s well-known for many
beautiful forms of art including silk painting, pottery, kite making, paper cutting for
example. But it is calligraphy that stands out, likely because the words evolved from
pictures.
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Calligraphy, Chinese writing, has been practiced for over 3,000 years.
It is recognized as the ultimate artistic expression, requiring years of training,
discipline and dedication
It is an art of performance, but not until rigorous defined requirements have been
fulfilled. Fundamentals must be mastered and brush stroke techniques must be
learned. Only then can individual interpretation hold sway.
The first 1600 years or so, Chinese writing went through many revisions, from
pictographic forms to simpler abstract representations.
First, the writing was done on stone, metal or bone; next bamboo or wood.
When paper evolved as the preferred writing material, the fully independent art
form developed (second century A.C.E.).
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The following graphic shows the styles:
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Today all styles are still practiced, each allowing for artistic interpretation.
In China today, calligraphy is perhaps the most important art form.
Mao Zedong and Calligraphy
Chairman Mao was known to be a master of calligraphy and poetry, and while the
Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution showed disdain for the past and the
educated elite, he was well-respected for his skill and talent as a calligrapher and his
poems. Many are on
display at the National Museum of
China.
The Scholar-Gentry:
The scholar-official was a civil servant appointed by the emperor to perform day-today governance from the Han Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty in 1912 (about 400
years). They were chosen from the scholar-gentry who were thoroughly trained in the
art of calligraphy and Confucian texts.
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Scholar-gentry—Those who were not chosen as scholar-officials were a kind of
social leader who taught and oversaw community projects, preached Confucian
moral teachings, etc. They also were scribes, thus the Scholar’s Desk exhibit we
have at the JSMA.
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They underwent a serious course of study, wrote essays on moral issues and
current affairs.
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They mastered the difficult Chinese writing—calligraphy
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They had high social status, prestige and power.
A meritocracy developed allowing for social mobility to the best students Those
who excelled at the study of the Confucian texts, etc had honor, power and
prestige.
However, abuse of power and corruption commonly occurred once the scholargentry had passed their exams and had their future assured.
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Scholar’s Tools:
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Brushes—various sizes from animal hair (goat, rabbit, weasel)
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Ink stick— graphite, vermillion, soot
Inkstone—ink is ground into powder on the stone and mixed with liquid in the well of
the stone
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Paper—parchment
Libation cups (sometimes!)—there were often social gatherings where transcribing
or creating was done and drinking occurred. Some experts point to noticing when
the scholar became intoxicated from the subtle change in the hand in his work.
Weights—often jade, to hold the parchment paper flat.
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