Zhang Ruitu's "On the Scrolls", Xingshu, Ayamoto, 25 cm in length and 274 cm in width. Collection of Anhui Provincial Museum.
Zhang Ruitu (1570-1644) was a representative figure of the late Ming Dynasty, whose works were innovative, courageous to innovate, and pursued the liberation of personality, and together with Dong Qichang, he was called "Southern Zhang Bei Dong" and an important member of the "Four Great Masters of Good Books" (Dong Qichang, Zhang Ruitu, Xing Tong, and Mi Wanzhong). His title even spread to Japan and was highly regarded by the Japanese book scene, saying that his book was "consistent in temperament and unique in style".
Zhang Ruitu's life spans more than 70 years of history in the late Ming Dynasty, so his calligraphy style and calligraphy achievements are formed in the environment of the late Ming Dynasty. The creation is mainly based on cursive writing, and the unique style of writing is mainly reflected in his ink pen, knot body and chapter method, showing the characteristics of tension and unrestrained, exciting and struggling, self-inhibition and smoothness.
In his later years, he selected the poems he composed in his life to compile the "BaiHao An Collection", which contains his rich calligraphic ideas, which are mainly reflected in the following three aspects: one is to advocate ancient meaning and pursue nature; the other is to pursue the beauty of individuality; and the third is to advocate the beauty of light and quiet. His calligraphic thoughts stemmed from the natural outpouring of his inner feelings, and it was in this outpouring that his calligraphy style could be strangely dashing and cheerful. In short, Zhang Ruitu's stubborn style of writing has also had a profound impact on later innovative scholars, and even on the modern book world.
Zhang Ruitu's "On the Scrolls"