Yan Zhenqing was of the most influential Chinese calligraphers in history. His artistic accomplishment in Chinese calligraphy matches that of history's greatest master calligraphers. He brought Chinese calligraphy to a new level, creating his personal style known as the "Yan style" which emphasised strength, boldness and grandeur, rather than the feminine and slim style practised by earlier Tang calligraphers.
Background
His family originated from Linqin, Langye (today's Linqin. Shandong). After the fall of the Jin Dynasty's capital city of Chang'an, the Yan family migrated south below the Yangtze River in the year 317. At the Eastern Jin's new capital of Jiankang (modern-day Nanjing) the Yan family became prominent amongst the elite families. The Yan family provided many officials that served the governments of the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the succeeding Liang Dynasty in southern China. One of his ancestors was Yan Zhitui, a scholar-official during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.
Education
In 734, at the age of 22, Yan Zhenqing qualified from the national wide imperial examination and was granted the title of Jinshi . He then gained the rare opportunity of taking a special imperial examination that was set for candidates with extraordinary talents, again excelling in it.
Career
As he had been meritorious in suppressing the Anshi Rebellion, he was appointed minister-of manpower as well as grand tutor of the crown prince. Besides thankful to outstanding academic background, Yan Zhengqing rose rapidly through the bureaucratic ladder. However, his unbendable character was resented by the incumbent Grand Councilor, Lu Qi and cost him his life. Yan Zhengqing was executed for disobeying the self-proclaimed Emperor Li Xilie.
