Stele of Master Wendang at Shancai Temple

CHINA; Tang dynasty

This stele inscription was composed by Lu Huan, and originally written by renowned calligrapher Chu Suiliang. Research by Qing dynasty (1644–1911) calligraphers Wang Shu and Weng Fanggang proved that the inscriptions by Chu were later replaced. Thus it was determined that this rubbing is the work of Wei Qiwu. The only extant rubbing is from the collection of Li Zonghan, a collector of the Qing dynasty. The inscription is published as a booklet totaling 29 pages with five lines of seven characters on each page. Weng remarked, “Wei’s achievement in this stele proves great success in imitating Chu’s style as an almost exact duplicate. This stele may be regarded as an excellent example for learning Chu’s style.” Little is known about Wei, but he is said to be one of the many Tang calligraphers who imitated the calligraphic style of Chu.