Bidspirit auction | Calligraphy, Ancient Books

Calligraphy, Ancient Books - Deng Shiru (1743–1805), originally named Yan, courtesy name Shiru, later changed to Wanbo and art names such as Wanbai Shanren and Jiyou Daoren, was a native of Huaining, Anhui (now Anqing). He was an accomplished calligrapher, seal carver, painter, and philologist of the Qing Dynasty, widely regarded as the founder of the ”Deng School” of seal carving. Deng excelled in all four major script types of Chinese calligraphy, with a particular mastery of seal and clerical scripts. His seal script combined the strengths of Qin and Han stele inscriptions, characterized by vigorous strokes and disciplined structure infused with dynamic variation. His clerical script embodied an archaic grandeur and expansive energy, setting a new standard in the Qing era. In seal carving, he broke away from the delicate, meticulous style of the Ming Dynasty, advocating that ”seal carving should emanate from calligraphy.” By integrating calligraphic fluidity into engraving, he developed a robust, unadorned, and powerfully natural style, establishing the influential ”Deng School.” Additionally, Deng was skilled in landscape painting and supported his artistic practice with deep philological research, reflecting a comprehensive scholarly and artistic cultivation.