Gaoxian

CHINA, Zhejiang, Huzhou; Tang dynasty

Gaoxian was a monk and calligrapher from Wucheng (present day Huzhou, Zhejiang). He was particularly intelligent since youth, and was a diligent student after renunciation. He resided in Jianfu and Ximing temples in Shaanxi. During the rule of Emperor Xuanzong (reigned 847–859) of the Tang dynasty, Gaoxian was commissioned to serve in the imperial court, and was later honored with a purple robe.
Famous for his cursive script, which was greatly influenced by Huaisu, Gaoxian’s works have been acclaimed in texts such as Postscripts of Calligraphy in Guangchuan, Ci Zhai Letter, and Brief History of Calligraphy. Additionally, the famed poet Han Yu praised the brilliance of Gaoxian’s calligraphy in his work, Preface to Sending off Master Gaoxian.
Gaoxian’s Thousand Character Classic imparted a vast influence on the development of calligraphy throughout China. It is considered the embodiment of the cursive script style of the Mid-Tang dynasty (756-846). Remnant of the original piece scripted by Gaoxian are now kept at the Shanghai Museum.