Gu is also known as Yan.
Liu Gongquan (778-865), the last great calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty, was one of the four masters of regular script (Ou Yangxun, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan and Zhao Mengfu). Wang Xizhi, a beginner in calligraphy, later studied modern calligraphy, studied under Yan Zhenqing, absorbed his new ideas, and then got married and created his own unique Liu style, which is a model for later generations. His handwriting is even, thin and hard, and he pursues Wei Bei firmly. His stippling is crisp and beautiful, with thick bones and tight body. "Books are expensive, thin and hard, and the spirit is clear." Compared with his face, his regular script is slightly flat and thin, so it is called "Yan Gu". Liu Gongquan has many works handed down from generation to generation. The inscriptions handed down from ancient times include the Diamond Sutra, the Mysterious Tower Monument and the Su Feng Monument. Among them, the engraved version of Diamond Sutra, the mysterious pagoda monument and the Shence Army monument can best represent its regular script style.
Yan Style was created by Yan Zhenqing, a calligrapher in Tang Dynasty. Yan Ti and Liu Gongquan are collectively called "Yan Liu" and "Yan Liu Jingu". "Yan Ti" is aimed at Yan Zhenqing's regular script. Its regular script structure is square and dense, the strokes are horizontal and light, the brushwork is vigorous and round, and the momentum is solemn and vigorous.
Yan Zhenqing has opened up a brand-new realm of calligraphy: in terms of characteristics, Yan has a brand-new figure, strict statutes and great momentum. From the aesthetic point of view, beauty of face and beauty of body are dignified, masculine and artificial, and beauty of number is simultaneous, which sets a rule for later generations. From the perspective of the times, the early Tang dynasty inherited the rest of the Jin and Song dynasties, but failed to stand on its own feet. As soon as Yan style appeared, the new style of Tang Doutan casting became one of the distinctive features of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
His regular script is contrary to the calligraphy style of the early Tang Dynasty, featuring brushwork. It is a typical example of perfect combination of calligraphy beauty and personality beauty. His calligraphy style is called "Yan Ti", which is also called "Yan Liu" with Liu Gongquan, and has the reputation of "Yan Gu".
Among them, Guo Bei and Duo Baota Bei are his representative works, but his personal style has not yet formed. He is refined, beautiful and handsome. Yan Bei is the first masterpiece of the old man. At this time, his vigorous and powerful personal style has been formed, and his works in his later years are represented by the more attractive Magu Mountain Xiantan.