Stele of Censorate Vihara

CHINA; Tang dynasty

This Tang dynasty (618–907) stele inscription describes the history of erecting a vihara at the Censorate, which was intended to reform inmates and provide them with a redemptive path. Cui Shi drafted the stele text, and Liang Shengqing, a calligrapher and official widely known for his works in clerical script, wrote the calligraphy.
The brushstrokes are strong and heavy, but with significant variation in the articulations. Though the calligraphy conforms generally to the stout, bold style of the Tang clerical script, much strength is invested in the brushwork, which tends to be broadly stretched and energetically executed. This inscription is considered one of the more highly valued calligraphic works among the Tang clerical script steles.