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How does regular script differ from small-seal script in Chinese calligraphy?
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Chinese art
A discussion of Chinese art, from the documentary China: West Meets East at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In the history of Chinese calligraphy, small-seal script (xiaozhuan) and regular script (kaishu or zhenshu) represent distinct stages of development with significant stylistic differences:
- Visual Characteristics: Small-seal script is defined by lines of even thickness, featuring many curves and circles, with each character adjusted to fit within an imaginary square. In contrast, regular script allows for varied stroke thickness and shapes, where each dot, angle, and stroke can be tailored to the calligrapher's individual taste and artistic expression.12
- Purpose and Efficiency: Small-seal script was standardized during the Qin dynasty to facilitate record-keeping, but it was difficult to write quickly. Regular script emerged later as a more practical, "proper" style for government documents, books, and daily dealings, becoming the standard for civil service examinations during the Tang dynasty.12
- Artistic Philosophy: While small-seal script emphasizes balanced, neat columns of uniform squares, regular script is prized for its abstract design and the energy of its strokes, which are intended to suggest the vitality of natural objects.2