Longmen Grottoes: Twenty Outstanding Inscriptions

CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Northern Wei dynasty

These 20 inscriptions, located at the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, are considered to be the most outstanding pieces among the over 3,600 statuary epigraphs situated within the site. Each inscription records the resolutions of their corresponding donor and their offering of sculptures. The 20 inscriptions include: Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Sun Qiusheng, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Monk Huicheng for Duke of Shiping, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Yang Dayan, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Wei Lingzang, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Prince of Beihai, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Consort Dowager Gao, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Lady Yuchi for Niujue, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Yifu, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Xie Boda, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Zheng Changyou, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Monk Huigan, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by He Lanhan, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Gao Shu, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Monk Fasheng, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Consort Dowager Hou, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Prince of Anding, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Nun Cixiang, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Monk Daojiang, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Ma Zhenbai, and the Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Prince of Qijun.
The majority of these Northern Wei steles were written in either Han clerical or Tang regular script, and many can be described as having features of both. There is a strict adherence to a standard character form, with each stroke appearing broad and weighty. As a whole, the stele carvings are rustic and robust. Despite being produced by different calligraphers, there is a general consistency in the square format, the strong bold strokes, and unadorned style. The sturdy yet varied quality is exemplary of Northern Wei calligraphy.
These 20 inscriptions are widely recognized as the best examples of Wei stele engravings, of which four pieces are further acclaimed as the Four Outstanding Inscriptions of the Longmen Grottoes. These are: Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Sun Qiusheng, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Monk Huicheng for Duke of Shiping, Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Yang Dayan, and Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Wei Lingzang.