Commentary on Cursive Script

CHINA; Northern Song dynasty

In this note containing 65 characters within nine lines, Mi Fu expresses his opinions on calligraphy, in particular, cursive script. He begins by stating, “If cursive script does not follow the Jin style, it will be a mere low-grade.” He then provides commentary on several historically important experts of the script, which include several calligraphers, scholars, and monks such as Huaisu, Gaoxian, and Bianguang.
Mi Fu, a calligrapher and seal engraver of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), suggested that those writing cursive script should learn from the calligraphers of the Jin dynasty (265–420). The calligraphy of this note adopts his proposition with each character standing on its own, in line with traditional cursive script style. There is only one place throughout the entire piece where the characters are connected. The strokes are sharp on all sides, and the overall character composition is sparse and delicate, evoking a sense of circulating qi and demonstrating Mi’s refined skills in calligraphy and cursive script.