Wang Xun (calligrapher)

Wang Xun (Chinese name: 王珣; 349–400) was a Chinese calligrapher, who lived during the Jin Dynasty (266–420). Wang Xun was the "Sage of Calligraphy" Wang Xizhi (王羲之)’s nephew, Wang Xianzhi (王献之)’s cousin.

His most famous work is a letter written to his friend Boyuan (伯远), called A letter to Boyuan which is one of the Three Rarities of Calligraphy(三希).

Biography

 * Entering the career

Wang Xun was born in Luangmu, the grandson of the prime minister Wang Guan, and the son of Wang Qia, the middle leader. At first, he was the puisne of Huan Wen, and Xie Xuan, his colleague, was respected by Huan Wen, and then he was appointed as the chief official of the army. At the time, Huan Wen was carrying out the northern expedition, the military affairs are handed over to Wang Xun, the military tens of thousands of people know him. In the fourth year of Taihe (369), Yuan Zhen, the assassin of Yuzhou, was not willing to be blamed by Huan Wen, and was forced to bear the responsibility for the failure of Huan Wen's third Northern Expedition, and because of the court's failure to deal with his complaint, he rebelled and returned to the former Yan. At the time, Wang Xun also participated in the crusade, in Taihe six years (371) to pacify the rebellion, Wang Xun because of the merits of the Marquis of Dongting. Later, Wang Xun was appointed to be the military counselor of the grand secretary of state and Wang You of Luangxie. After the death of Huan Wen in the first year of Ningkang (373), Wang Xun was transferred to be the chief historian of the Chinese general Huan Chong, and the minister of the emperor's valet.

At the time that Wang Xun married Xie Wan's daughter, his brother Wang Min also married Xie An's daughter. Although Xie was married there was mutual suspicion, after Xie An even let the two divorce, Wang Xie's two families became enemies. At the time Xie An was part of the country's main government; in his will Wang Xun was appointed as governor of Yuzhang, Wang Xun did not want to go out of the far land and would not go to the office. He was appointed later as the permanent attendant of the scattered riding, Wang Xun did not accept the appointment, and transferred then to the secretary supervisor.

Main Effects
Calligraphy

Bo Yuan Post Wang Xun is a calligrapher, whose works of calligraphy include "Bo Yuan Post". Bo Yuan Post" is a letter to greet friends and relatives for illness. Xun three generations to be able to book called, family model world learning. Xun's grass saint also have passed on." This post by the northern song dynasty government collection, the ming dynasty dong qichang had collection, and said "wang xun book dashing ancient tanya, east jin style, just like in the eye", also said "both fortunate to see wang xun, but also fortunate that xun book is inexhaustible annihilation, get to see me also. Changan met ink, this is a special thing". The Qianlong Emperor will "bor yuantai" listed as one of the "three Xi". Gu Fu said in the "life of the spectacular" in the "Bo Yuan post": "paper firm and clean and pen flying, free of Wang's habit." An Qi's Ink Edge Convergence View commented, "There is a natural composure." Yang Shoujing of the Qing Dynasty, "Record of the Flat Post": "This is a real line, and it is already a famous one. Observe its pen, force to change the right army father and son, but not a trick in the right, the so-called indulge in self-complacency, the ancient and elegant have more than one also." This post is highly evaluated.

The Xuanhe shu zhi (Records of the Xuanhe Script) also included his cursive "March Post", which is not extant today.