The Preface to the Orchid Pavilion, also known as the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection or the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Banquet, is a representative work of the Eastern Jin Dynasty calligrapher Wang Xizhi and is known as the “number one cursive script in the world”. This work is not only renowned for its outstanding calligraphy art, but also contains profound cultural heritage and unique aesthetic value, becoming a timeless classic. The following will explore in detail the secret behind why “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” has become a timeless beauty.
1、 The superb art of calligraphy
Exquisite brushwork: The strokes in “Preface to Lanting” are flexible and varied, with alternating use of center and side forwards, a combination of hiding and dew, and a fluctuating and varied stroke process with varied lines. Wang Xizhi used a sharp edge in his writing, demonstrating a high ability to control the stroke, making each character vivid, powerful, and full of vitality.
The structure is flat and varied: Although the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion appears flat in structure, it is actually capable of extreme changes. Wang Xizhi used techniques such as leaning and contrasting to create unique characteristics for each character, with a harmonious and unified overall layout, giving people a sense of aesthetic enjoyment.
The layout of the “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” is unique, with rows vertically and no columns horizontally, varying in size, and arranged in a staggered manner. This composition not only reflects Wang Xizhi’s casual writing style, but also showcases his profound artistic foundation and unique pursuit of beauty.
2、 Rich cultural connotations
The historical background is profound: “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” was created in the ninth year of Yonghe in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (353 AD). At that time, Wang Xizhi and his friends Xie An, Sun Chuo, and 41 others gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in the mountains of Kuaiji to drink and compose poetry. Wang Xizhi compiled these poems and essays into one volume and wrote a preface, namely “Preface to Lanting”. This historical background endows the work with profound cultural heritage and contemporary characteristics.
Profound philosophical thoughts: “Preface to Lanting” is not only an excellent calligraphy work, but also a prose rich in philosophy. The article expresses Wang Xizhi’s feelings about the impermanence of life and death and his love for natural beauty. This profound philosophical thinking endows the work with higher artistic value and intellectual depth.
3、 Recognized artistic value
Throughout history, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion has been highly praised and imitated by calligraphers since its publication. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, held him in high regard and personally wrote the “Biography of Wang Xizhi” in the “Book of Jin”, praising his calligraphy as “perfect and perfect”. He also ordered people to copy the “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” and distribute it to his relatives, nobles, and close ministers, and buried it in the Zhaoling Mausoleum with the original work.
The hereditary copies are precious: Due to the fact that the authentic work has been lost to the world, the hereditary copies of “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” have become important objects for people to study and appreciate. One of the most famous is the “Shenlong Ben”, which is named after the title of “Shenlong” printed by Li Xian, Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. This copy has powerful and vigorous brushwork, rigorous structure, and full of charm, and is regarded as a treasure by later generations.
4、 The unique aesthetic value
The harmonious unity of natural beauty and humanistic beauty: The Preface to the Orchid Pavilion pursues an aesthetic style that is natural, smooth, and spontaneous in its writing process. This style not only reflects Wang Xizhi’s superb calligraphy skills and profound artistic cultivation, but also demonstrates his love and pursuit of the beauty of nature. At the same time, the philosophical reflections and humanistic sentiments contained in the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion also give the work higher humanistic value and social significance.
The perfect combination of calligraphy art and literary art: “Preface to Lanting” is not only an excellent calligraphy work, but also an excellent literary work. It depicts the grandeur of the Lanting Yaji and Wang Xizhi’s inner world in concise and clear language, making the work highly valuable in literature and art. The perfect combination of calligraphy and literary art has made “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” a timeless classic.
The secret why the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion has become a timeless beauty lies in its superb calligraphy art, rich cultural connotations, recognized artistic value, and unique aesthetic value. The combined effect of these factors has made “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” a treasure in the history of Chinese calligraphy and a treasure of Chinese culture.
