Among the famous Tang Kai families, Yan Zhenqing's regular script is unique. Although his characters are not as dangerous as Ouyang Xun's Fangzheng, and not as colorful as Chu Suiliang's spirit, they show another style of Tang Kai.
However, Yan Zhenqing's hand-me-down ink is extremely rare, and the only surviving "Self-written Confession" has attracted much attention. The authenticity of this work was once suspected, but its authenticity was confirmed by paper-ink-14 testing. Mi Fu of the Song Dynasty clearly pointed out in the inscription at the back of the volume: "Right Yan Zhenqing self-written confession." On April 7, the ninth year of Shaoxing, Chen Mi Youren congratulated and approved. Therefore, this "Self-written Confession Post" has become the only "Yanti" ink in the world, and it is reported that it was written in the first year of Tang Jianzhong (780).
This post has a total of 225 words, and it is an official diploma written by Yan Zhenqing when he was the crown prince. The overall style is simple and heavy, using the ancient seal penmanship, the handwriting gesture is ancient and rich, and the dot painting edge is hidden inside, showing a sense of fluctuation, adding the interest of regular script. In terms of stroke structure, the outside is tight and the inside is loose, even after magnification, it does not lose its order, which is one of Yan Zhenqing's unique characteristics.
In contrast, although Ouyang Xun's regular script is fine and rigorous, it has a sense of inclination, and each stroke cannot move half a minute. After enlargement, it is easy to collapse the font frame, which is difficult to maintain the order, which is not conducive to learners' observation and understanding. Yan Zhenqing's brushwork is more natural and smooth, the stippling is diastolic and powerful, the font structure is stable and clear, and the brushstrokes of starting and closing are distinct, making his works easier to understand and imitate by learners.
Zhan Jingfeng, an official of the Ming Dynasty, spoke highly of this: "The calligraphy is ancient and vigorous, and the stroke has a thousand powers, and the body is natural." It makes the turn really like the northerners use horses, and the southerners use boats, although within one stroke, the time is rich and three turns. Yan Zhenqing's work was written in his later years, and his penmanship has reached the realm of perfection, and his perception and strength of the pen are more profound, which can stimulate the ability of artistic innovation.
Unfortunately, according to the "Outline of the Great Collection of Weng Tong Gong", this authentic work was dispersed outside the palace in 1861, making it impossible for people to appreciate it in person.