Artists › Painters and Calligraphers

Wang Xizhi

Eastern Jin calligrapher and General of the Right, nephew of the minister Wang Dao, whose Orchid Pavilion Preface became the model for running script

Also known as Zi Yishao · Shu Sheng

Wang Xizhi, courtesy name Yishao, came from Linyi in Langya; he was a nephew of the minister Wang Dao. Seeking a son-in-law among the Wangs, the grand commandant Xi Jian chose the young man lying at ease on the eastern couch, Wang Xizhi, for his daughter. Starting as a palace library clerk, Wang served on Yu Liang's staff and as governor of Jiangzhou, and later became General of the Right and administrator of Kuaiji, hence the name Wang Youjun. In late spring of 353 he gathered with Sun Chuo, Xie An and others at the Orchid Pavilion in Shanyin for the spring purification rite and wrote the preface to their poems, the *Lanting xu*. Unwilling to serve under Wang Shu, the new governor of Yangzhou, he resigned on grounds of illness and swore at his parents' grave never to take office again. Emperor Taizong of Tang wrote the closing judgment of his biography in the *Book of Jin* (*Jinshu*) himself and collected his writing widely.

Life and times

  1. 303 CEBornJin
  2. 353Lanting Canon & Literati AestheticTook partWang Xizhi's masterpiece anchoring the paramount aesthetic canon of Chinese calligraphy and literati landscape poetry.
    1. Wang Xizhi Writes the Lanting PrefaceAt the Orchid Pavilion in 353 CE, Wang Xizhi joined forty-two scholars in poetry and wine, brushwriting the greatest masterpiece in Chinese calligraphy.
  3. 361 CEDiedby another account 321–379

Works

  1. Literature · Sayings10
    1. Lofty Mountains and Steep RidgesJinIdiom from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: lofty, rugged ranges of mountains
    2. Free Beyond the Bounds of FormJinIdiom from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: unbound by convention
    3. A Gentle, Pleasant BreezeJinIdiom from the Orchid Pavilion Preface: a gentle, pleasant breeze
    4. Clear Sky and Fresh AirJinIdiom from the Orchid Pavilion Preface: clear skies and fresh air, or a clear mind
    5. Young and Old Gathered at the Orchid PavilionJinAphorism from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: young and old gathered together
    6. +5 more
      1. Feelings Shift as Circumstances ChangeJinIdiom from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: feelings shifting with the times
      2. Clear Streams and Rushing Rapids at the Orchid PavilionJinFamous line from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: clear, swift mountain streams
      3. Letting the Eyes Roam and the Heart Gallop FreeJinIdiom from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: roaming eyes and an open, free heart
      4. All the Worthies Gathered at the Orchid PavilionJinFamous line from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: every worthy guest in attendance
      5. Lush Woods and Tall Bamboo at the Orchid PavilionJinIdiom from Wang Xizhi's Orchid Pavilion Preface: a setting of dense woods and tall bamboo
  2. Literature · Poetry1
    1. Two Orchid Pavilion PoemsJinWang Xizhi's own verses from the Orchid Pavilion gathering, spring ease and Daoist reflection
  3. Literature · Prose1
    1. Preface to the Orchid Pavilion GatheringJinWang Xizhi's preface to the Orchid Pavilion poems, moving from spring revelry to mortality
  4. Treasures · Brushwork3
    1. Wang Xizhi, Timely Clearing after SnowfallEastern Jin dynastyA brief letter written as the snow cleared
    2. Wang Xizhi, Yuanhuan Tie (Letter on Official Posting)Eastern Jin dynastyA late Wang Xizhi letter in a faithful tracing
    3. Wang Xizhi, Ping'an, Heru and Fengju LettersEastern Jin dynastyThree hundred oranges and two greetings

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Wang Xizhi
    Daughter-in-law
    Xie Daoyun

Connections

  1. Shared events1
    1. Sun Chuo314 CE–371 CE
  2. Others1
    1. Xie AnCompanion in Dongshan · 320 CE–385 CE