Zhang Zhi (calligrapher) explained

Zhang Zhi (died 192), courtesy name Boying (Chinese: 伯英), was a Chinese calligrapher during the Han dynasty. Born in Jiuquan, Gansu, he was a pioneer of the modern cursive script, and was traditionally honored as the Sage of Cursive Script (Chinese: 草聖).^[1] Furthermore, he is known as one of the Four Talented Calligraphers (Chinese: 四賢) in Chinese calligraphy.^[2]

Biography

Despite the great fame he enjoyed in ancient times, no veritable works of Zhang Zhi's have survived. A catchphrase is attributed to him: "Too busy to write cursively" (Chinese: 匆匆不暇草書),^[3] which shows that the execution of cursive script, though originally invented for the sake of time-saving, requires a tranquil frame of mind.^[4]

Bibliography

• Zhong, Mingshan, ""Zhang Zhi". Encyclopedia of China (Arts Edition), 1st ed.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Poon. KS Vincent. Zhang Zhi 張芝 法帖 Translation Interpretation. 2021-03-05. Vincent's Calligraphy. en-GB.
2. Web site: A Narrative on Calligraphy. Vincent's Calligraphy. en-GB. 2017-11-15.
3. There is a similar Chinese proverb: "Too hasty to write in cursive script; too impoverished to prepare a vegetarian meal." (信速不及草書，家貧難辦素食) Compare the well-known quote by Pascal: "Je n'ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parce que je n'ai pas eu le loisir de la faire plus courte." (in Lettres provinciales)
4. Web site: Footnotes on A Narrative on Calligraphy Part V. Vincent's Calligraphy. en-GB. 2017-11-15.