Wang Anshi

CHINA, Jiangxi, Fuzhou; Northern Song dynasty

Wang Anshi, also known as Huanlang or Banshan, was a calligrapher, painter, politician, scholar, and philosopher from Linchuan district in Fuzhou. He was reputed as one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties.
After becoming an Imperial Scholar in 1042, Wang served in the imperial court, and by 1071, he was promoted to prime minister and started a political reform. He was later forced to resign and moved to Jiangning (present day Nanjing, Jiangsu).
Wang wrote Collection from Lingchuan, Collection of Poetry from 100 Poets of the Tang Dynasty, and more.
His poems are simple, practical, and powerful; such examples include his piece entitled Praise of Taking Refuge. Also a skilled calligrapher, Wang’s running script flows freely with quick and bold strokes. His calligraphic works include Essential Points of the Surangama Sutra kept in the Shanghai Museum.