Dong Qichang’s script is written on the stele of the Marquis Temple at Zhengyang Gate

[Dong Qichang’s Running Script of the Monument of the Marquis Temple at Zhengyang Gate]

The Monument of the Marquis Temple at Zhengyang Gate, Ming Dynasty, Dong Qichang’s script, paper book, hand scroll, front section 33.3 cm long, horizontal 412.7 cm, rear section 28.8 cm long, horizontal 175.3 cm, running script, 130 lines
There are two seals on the volume: “Zhi Zhi Zhi Zhi Guan” and “Dong Qichang”. The collection seal “the authentic work of the Shang and Song Dynasties” and 13 seals of the Qianlong, Jiaqing and Xuantong Inner Mansions of the Qing Dynasty
This volume is composed of inscriptions and self-awareness. The Stele of the Marquis Temple at the Gate of Zhengyang was written by Jiao Hong in the winter of the 19th year of Wanli (1591) of the Ming Dynasty, and written by Dong Qichang when he returned to the capital in the spring of the 20th year of Wanli (1592). He was 38 years old. Later, I learned a paragraph from myself: “This is what I wrote in the ordinary time. In the twenty-fourth year of the Spring and Ming Dynasties, when I was called back to return to the dynasty, the stone tablets and the paintings were singing, and the calligraphy and paintings were diffuse, which could not be covered by the people who copied and expanded them…. The old book has a sense of title, and its prosperity. The new moon of June of Renxu, the Buddhist temple of Yuanxi painting, knew.” The “Renxu” is the second year of the opening of tomorrow (1622). When Dong Qichang made this self-knowledge, it was 30 years after the inscription of the book, when Dong was 68 years old. He left Beijing in the 27th year of Wanli (1599) and returned to Beijing in the second year of Tianqi, which is exactly 24 years. Therefore, there is a sentence in his title, “In the twenty-four years of spring and light, he will return to Beijing again”. “Chunming Gate” is the middle gate of the three gates in the east of Chang’an City, the capital of the Tang Dynasty. Later generations took “Chunming Gate” as the alternative name of the capital
At the beginning of this volume, the “Monument to the Marquis Temple at the Gate of Zhengyang” has regular script in the line, and the font ends are stable and regular. The 38-year-old Dong Qichang is at the stage of studying various calligraphic styles of the past dynasties. His calligraphy is characterized by heavy and unskillful strokes, sharp edges and sharp edges, and obvious strokes of Yan and Mi. After the inscription, I read a section of pure running script, reflecting the characteristics of the 68-year-old Dong’s running script in the perfect period. The characters are exquisite and bright, bright and beautiful, and the posture is calm, forming a unique style of expressing my feelings. From this volume, we can see the characteristics of the development and change of Dong’s calligraphy style before and after.