The Tang Dynasty also witnessed improvement of calligraphic theories, with the publishing of some theoretical books, such as Shu Pu (Manual of Calligraphy) and Shu Yi (Etiquettes in Calligraphy), which cast significant influence on later books. Due to the chaos caused by wars and the unstable political situation in following dynasties from theFive Dynastiesto theYuan Dynasty, the development of calligraphy also took on complications. Calligraphers of that period chose to express their inner feelings and interests through calligraphy. More theoretical books came out, providing theoretical guidance for the later generations.
The calligraphy in theMing Dynastywas basically an inheritance and development of that of the Song and Yuan dynasties, and that of theQing Dynastywas generally divided into two periods. The two dynasties also witnessed the rising of many famous calligraphers who left behind a great many excellent calligraphic works.
Chinese calligraphy is an Oriental art. Like the use of chopsticks, calligraphy was once entirely Chinese, but as Chinese culture spread to Korea, Japan, and Singapore, calligraphy became a unique feature of Oriental art.
Calligraphy is even wildly accepted by the West; as once Picasso said, "Had I been born Chinese, I would have been a calligrapher, not a painter." Many calligraphic elements are being adopted by modern Western art.
Author: Jessie
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