Calligraphy
History of Calligraphic Art of Stylized Writing Scripts, Invented by Chinese Artists.
Visual Arts

Calligraphic Art

First seen in Chinese art, calligraphy is the art of stylized writing, verging on a form of drawing, which requires the correct formation of characters, the ordering of the various parts, and general harmony of proportions. The two great forms of calligraphy derive from the Arabic and Oriental languages (Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean), although the art has been regularly practised in the languages of India, Tibet, Persia, Latin and others.

In oriental terms, calligraphy may be understood as the art of converting square Chinese characters into expressive images by the responsiveness of rice paper and the pressure of a tapered brush. Ever since it was first practised in China, around 1700 BCE, calligraphy has been a rich and varied source of artistic expression. For over two Millennia, it has been regarded as the highest form of Chinese painting, and shares many characteristics of Chinese wash-painting, which is performed using similar implements and materials. In addition, it has influenced many oriental art styles, such as "sumi-e", a type of Chinese and Japanese painting based entirely on calligraphy.

Chinese calligraphy passed through four stages before the present-day script - known as regular script or Kaishu - emerged. These four stages involved the four scripts known as: Jigwen (chia-ku-wen), Jinwen (chin-wen), Dazhuan (hsiao chuan) and Lishu (li shu) scripts. The Jigwen and Jinwen scripts were used by Chinese calligraphers until 220 BCE, when the Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the development of a new unified script known as Dazhuan. This was soon followed by a new clerical script called Lishu, and ultimately by Kaishu, the present-day form which has been in existence now for almost 2000 years.

Calligraphy is performed using a pen (either flat or round-nibbed) and a brush. Occasionally, where extra decoration is required, multi-nibbed pens may be used. Calligraphic ink is traditionally water-based rather than oil-based. Paper must be of high quality with a consistent rate of absorption to facilitate straight lines. Instead of paper, parchment or vellum may be used, which means the artist can make corrections with a knife. Some calligraphers use light boxes to assist the creation of straight lines.

Needless to say, the art of Chinese calligraphy does not permit the use of computers or computer fonts. Computer-based or digital calligraphy would be no more artistic than digital Impressionism or digital Cubism.

• For more information about graphic art, see: Irish Art Guide.

• How to Update This Mini Review of Calligraphy and Calligraphic Art.