On Wei Xizeng's Idea of Calligraphy

Wei Xizeng was an outstanding expert of epigraphy and a theoretician of calligraphy in the late Qing Dynasty.After the Daoguang Period of Qing Dynasty,with the advocation of Ruan Yuan and the promotion of Bao Shichen,the theory of stele study developed gradually to maturation and was flourishing during the Xianfeng and Tongzhi Periods of Qing Dynasty.At the same time,most calligraphers were influenced by the school of stele study and Wei was no exception.Hence,an obvious brand of the time can be noticed in his idea of calligraphy.However,we can clearly see that Wei's idea of calligraphy was based on the traditional stele study in his comments and postscripts.Based on a systematic study of A Complete Collection of Ji Yu Tang,this paper summarizes Wei's ideas about calligraphy as studying the Zhuang and Li styles to keep the traditional skill,developing the skill of Stele study,and not abandoning the traditional rubbing study.