Liu Yong

CHINA, Shandong, Weifang; Qing dynasty

Born in Zhucheng, Weifang, Liu Yong was also known as Chongru and was posthumously known as Wenqing. He was a calligrapher and politician who, during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty, is regarded as one of the era’s Four Calligraphy Masters alongside Weng Fanggang, Prince Cheng, and Tiebao. He was also known to have authored Poem Collection of Liu Wenqing.
Liu excelled in regular script calligraphy that is rounded and imposing. He imparted the techniques of Dong Qichang and studied the works of master calligraphers such as Zhao Mengfu, Yan Zhenqing, and Su Shi. During the latter part of his life, he mainly focused on producing stele calligraphy.
His Lotus Samadhi of Master Zhiyi is currently kept at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. His Copy of Mi Fu’s Manuscripts in running script, among others are kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing. Seven-Character Couplet is kept at the Anhui Museum, and Quatrain of Yuan is kept at the Sichuan Museum. In addition, two other works by Liu in running script are collected at the Shanghai Museum.