Completed in the Qing Dynasty, "Jinshi Cuibian" is a comprehensive work on epigraphy in Chinese history. It consists of 160 volumes and was compiled by Wang Chang (1725-1806), a native of Qingpu in the Qing Dynasty. Wang Chang was knowledgeable and good at writing. Wherever he traveled, he was committed to collecting various stone inscriptions.
On April 26, Shanghai Haipai Art Museum held the "Xunben Lanquan" academic gathering and exchange meeting to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Shanghai epigrapher Wang Chang. In addition to exhibiting the rubbings of inscriptions on bronze and stone tablets collected in the Collection of Inscriptions on Bronze and Stone, people from the calligraphy community and related scholars discussed Wang Chang's outstanding achievements and far-reaching influence in the field of epigraphy. "The prosperity of Shanghai School of Epigraphy or Shanghai Epigraphy is actually due to Wang Chang, an epigrapher from Qingpu, Shanghai. If we trace our roots, we should trace it back to Wang Chang."
Wang Chang (1725-1806)
Wang Chang (1725-1806), whose courtesy names were Defu, Lanquan, Qinde, and pseudonym Shu'an, was a native of Qingpu (now part of Shanghai). He was extremely intelligent when he was young, knowledgeable and good at writing, especially in phonology and exegesis. He became a Jinshi in the 19th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1754) in the Qing Dynasty, and served as a Cabinet Secretary, a Senior Officer of the Grand Council, a Director of the Shandong Division of the Ministry of Justice, a Minister of the Dali Temple, an Envoy of Shaanxi Province, and a Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. As a famous epigrapher in the Qing Dynasty, he was well-known for his profound academic attainments and wide influence. He spent half his life collecting bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties and inscriptions and rubbings from all dynasties, and compiled his magnum opus "Jinshi Cuibian" in 160 volumes, which can be regarded as the culmination of epigraphy in the Qing Dynasty. The book contains more than 1,500 rubbings of inscriptions on bronze and stone from the Zhou Dynasty to the Liao and Jin Dynasties, covering various types such as inscriptions on steles and bronze inscriptions, and is accompanied by detailed interpretations and comments. This systematic compilation provided rich original materials and reference framework for later epigraphy research. This gathering showcased more than 60 volumes of precious rubbings of inscriptions on bronze and stone inscriptions from past dynasties recorded in Wang Chang's "Jinshi Cuibian". These rubbings not only have important documentary value, but also provide rare classic examples for the study of calligraphy art, allowing the audience to feel the profound accumulation of Chinese traditional culture in the mottled ink.
Wang Chang's Collection of Gold and Stone
Wang Chang's Collection of Gold and Stone
This gathering was organized by Wu Hansong, a well-known calligrapher from Haining, based on his personal collection. He systematically sorted out more than 60 volumes of rubbings of inscriptions on bronze and stone inscriptions from past dynasties included in Wang Chang's "Jinshi Cuibian" and put them on public display. These precious rubbings of inscriptions on bronze and stone are not only a lofty tribute to the academic achievements of our predecessors, but also open a window for the audience to the ancient Chinese bronze and stone culture.
The exhibition of inscriptions on bronze and stone tablets collected in the Shanghai Art Museum's "Collection of Inscriptions on Bronze and Stone"
At the academic gathering that day, Wu Hansong said that Wang Chang's academic achievements were multifaceted. In literature, he was good at poetry and prose, and was known as one of the "Seven Sons of Wuzhong" along with Wang Mingsheng, Wu Tailai, Qian Daxin, Zhao Wenzhe, Cao Renhu, and Huang Wenlian. The collection of poems and essays handed down from generation to generation is "Chunrongtang Collection", which consists of 60 volumes. In epigraphy, Wang Chang spent half his life collecting bronze wares from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, as well as inscriptions and rubbings from past dynasties, and compiled a 160-volume masterpiece, Jinshi Cuibian. "Wang Chang put in a lot of effort in compiling the masterpiece, Jinshi Cuibian. Now scholars and calligraphers engaged in epigraphy research are enjoying the convenience brought by this book. Wang Chang first annotated all the rubbings or objects in his collection, then explained the text, and finally read them. This book reflects Wang Chang's rigorous scholarship, his non-superstition of the ancients, and his non-blindness to the ancients, and it has many implications for the present."
Tao Yuzhi, a researcher at the Shanghai Museum, said that the exhibition is titled "Xunben Lanquan" because the prosperity of Shanghai's Haipai epigraphy or Haishang epigraphy should be attributed to Wang Chang, an epigrapher from Qingpu, Shanghai. If we trace our roots, we should trace it back to Wang Chang. "Wang Chang was very remarkable. He was a favorite of Emperor Qianlong at the time and a scholar with both civil and military skills. The military manifestos to suppress the rebellion at that time were all written by Wang Chang, and Lanquan was Wang Chang's title. Mr. Wu Hansong happened to have collected so many rubbings annotated in the "Jinshi Cuibian", so we named this gathering "Xunben Lanquan."
The exhibition of inscriptions on bronze and stone tablets collected in the Shanghai Art Museum's "Collection of Inscriptions on Bronze and Stone"
Tang Cuncai, director of the Shanghai Calligraphy Association's Epigraphy Committee, said that Wang Chang of Qingpu and Qian Daxin of Jiading three hundred years ago were the earliest sources and most important representatives of epigraphy research works in Shanghai culture. "It can be said that scholars such as Wang Chang and Qian Daxing, who wrote books and biographies in the field of epigraphy, led the development of epigraphy after the Qing Dynasty. Liang Qichao mentioned them in his Qing Dynasty Academic Overview. One of the cores of Shanghai culture is epigraphy. Wang Chang and Qian Daxin, as outstanding representatives, can consolidate the foundation of Shanghai culture. In the late Qing Dynasty or in modern times, epigraphy masters represented by Zhao Zhiqian, Wu Dacheng and Wu Changshuo pushed Shanghai culture to a new height, including the Xiling Seal Society led by Mr. Wu Changshuo, which became the world's number one society with far-reaching influence."
Wang Hui, former director of Qingpu Museum, said that after Wang Chang retired and returned to his hometown Qingpu, he presided over the compilation of "Qingpu County Chronicles" and sorted out and compiled "Qingpu Poetry Writings". Later, he presided over Qingxi Academy and served as the main lecturer. "Wang Chang's family tomb is still in Qingpu. There is also Wang Chang's ancestral hall in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town - Wang's Ancestral Hall. Although it is relatively small in scale, it has also been preserved as a district-level cultural relic protection site."
Relevant calligraphy scholars believe that Wang Chang's "Jinshi Cuibian" is not only an important classic of epigraphy in the Qing Dynasty, but also an important resource for contemporary academic research, cultural heritage protection, historical research and artistic innovation. Its rich documentary materials and academic value provide contemporary scholars with valuable tools for studying ancient society and culture, while also injecting new vitality into the inheritance and revitalization of traditional culture.
Tian Songqing, head of Shanghai Painting and Calligraphy Publishing House, Zhang Suo, vice chairman of Shanghai Calligraphers Association, Chen Zhiqiang, chairman of Minhang District Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Yang Baiwei, deputy editor-in-chief of Shanghai Bookstore Publishing House, Li Lei and Zhang Jianhua, heads of Shanghai Haipai Art Museum, also spoke on related topics.
Academic exchange meeting site
It is reported that Mr. Wang Chang's book "Jinshi Cuibian" has found a unique balance between tradition and modernity, showing a profound cultural heritage and academic spirit. With his concept of "using inscriptions on bronze and stone to verify history", he has provided important reference for contemporary historical research. The participants spoke highly of the significance of his academic exploration, believing that his epigraphy practice provided rich original materials and reference framework for contemporary epigraphy research. They looked forward to more scholars continuing to move forward on the path of inheritance and innovation and injecting new vitality into the inheritance and revitalization of traditional culture.
It is reported that the precious stone rubbings from the gathering will be on display at the Shanghai Art Museum until May 18.
Exhibition site
