Yan Zhenqing (709–785 CE) was one of China’s greatest calligraphers and a loyal official of the Tang Dynasty. He is especially famous for developing a bold, dignified, and powerful style of regular script (kaishu) that broke from earlier elegant but delicate traditions. His early masterpiece, the Dobao Ta Bei (Stele of the Many Treasures Pagoda), was inscribed in 752 CE to commemorate the construction of a Buddhist pagoda.
This stele showcases Yan’s characteristic features: strong brushstrokes, balanced structure, and a sense of moral integrity reflected in his writing. The Many Treasures Pagoda Stele became one of the most widely copied models in Chinese calligraphy education and remains essential for beginners learning kaishu.
Leave a Reply