Books on Chinese Calligraphy: The Upright Brush
Yan Zhenqing's Calligraphy and Song Literati Politics

Books on Chinese Calligraphy: The Upright Brush

The Upright Brush - Yan Zhenqing's Calligraphy and Song Literati Politics The Upright Brush is a book by Amy McNair, published by the University of Hawaii Press in 1998. Yan Zhenqing was one of the most famous calligraphers in Chinese history, coming from the prominent Yan family, members of which included names like Yan Zhitui, the author of Yan shi jiaxun (Teachings for the Yan family); Yan Shigu, the annotator of the Hanshu (History of the Han dynasty); and Yan Yuansun, the author of the Ganlu zishu (A dictionary for seeking government employment). Despite the importance of calligraphy in Chinese culture, few academic studies in the West have been conducted in this field in the past. The Upright Brush is filling a void, by approaching Song culture and politics from the point of view calligraphy and aesthetics.

The history of the Yan family, once again, is another area that has not been widely studied in the past. Considering their significance and overall impact on Chinese historiography, lexicography, literature and calligraphy, the Yans deserve to be studied and remembered. One would expect to find dozens of monographs on members of the family, especially on Yan Shigu and Yan Zhenqing. Surprisingly, however, The Upright Brush is but one such work. It is a much needed study that should be just one in the line of other works dealing with the subject. The Standing Babas - They really exist! Shantaram - the website Shantaram (2007) Shantaram : A Novel Book Reviews - Shantaram The Da Vinci Code - the novel