Chu Suiliang – the famous calligrapher and politician of the Tang dynasty.

The Tang dynasty had spawned many a talented man, and Chu Suiliang (596-659 AD) is one of them. He is considered to be one of the four greatest calligraphers of the early Tang period.

Chu was born into a family of wealth. His father was a minister, noted for his extensive erudition. Under the father’s influence Chu thoroughly studied history, literature, and calligraphy. Thus he evolved into a young scientist eligible for the position of Councillor of State. Honest and straightforward, he made good progress in politics and soon became a minister of import at the court of Emperor Taizong.

Under the guidance of such eminent calligraphy masters as Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan Chu advanced in the art of refined handwriting. Despite accumulating considerable popularity and respect at an early age, his experience and skills were noticed by the Emperor only when Chu was 40. In 638 AD Taizong was mourning the loss of his mentor — Yu Shinan. So one of his ministers, Wei Zheng, advised the emperor to cast his eyes upon master Suiliang. The emperor put him to a test and, satisfied with Chu’s performance, accepted his service at the court.

Civil service allowed Chu Suiliang to gain access to calligraphy masterpieces of the time, thus enhancing his brush techniques and upgrading his knowledge of the art. Chu also extended his erudition in Fine Arts. Once Emperor Tai Zong received an odd scroll, allegedly belonging to the brush of Wang Xizhi (calligraphy master, 303-361 AD), and showed it to Chu. Chu examined the hieroglyphs for a while and then said it was a fake. In response to the Emperor’s surprised stare, he put two of the hieroglyphs in the sunlight and explained: «Darker ink here and here means that the hieroglyphs had been altered in an attempt to correct them. A true master would have never committed such a conspicuous error». The Emperor was delighted by the expert explanation and respected Chu even more ever since, promoting him to the post of the Keeper of the Palace, as well as investing him with responsibility to secure and classify famous calligraphic works.

Chu’s calligraphy is characterized by a unique delicate manner. At the same time, through his precise and unobtrusive strokes the author’s forceful character is revealed. He is believed to have inherited and enhanced the Sui dynasty calligraphy, later creating his own unique style of the Tang dynasty calligraphy.

Chu Suiliang – the famous calligrapher and politician of the Tang dynasty.

Source: “The Great Epoch”