Wang Xizhi
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Chinese: | 王羲之 |
| Pinyin: | Wáng Xīzhī |
| Wade-Giles: | Wang Hsi-chih |
| Zi: | Yìshào (逸少) |
| Hao: | Dànzhāi (澹斋) |
| Also known as: | Shūshèng (書聖, literally Sage of Calligraphy) |
Wang Xizhi (王羲之, 303-361) is a famous Chinese calligrapher.
The most celebrated calligrapher in Chinese history, he is said be the exemplar of the high art of calligraphy, a master of every form but particularly of the running script (xingshu). Born in Linqin county in Shandong province, he lived in present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang, most of his life. None of his original works remain today.
His most famous work is the Lanting Xu, the preface of a collection of poems written by a number of poets when gathering at Lan Ting near the town of Shaoxing in Zhejiang province and engaging in a game called qu shui liu shang (曲水流觴). The original is lost, but there is a number of fine tracing copies and rubbings.
Wang Xizhi is particularly remembered for one of his hobbies – rearing geese.
Categories: Artist stubs | 303 births | 361 deaths | Chinese calligraphers | Chinese people in history