Eight Character Couplet in Running Script《行书八言联》

Zhang Jian (1853–1926)
Zhang Jian, courtesy name Jizhi and pseudonym Se’an, was from Nantong, Jiangsu. In the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (1894), he achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination and was known as one of the “Five Talents of Jiangsu.” Zhang was a prominent industrialist, politician, educator, and calligrapher in modern China. He had a deep foundation in calligraphy, studying Yan Zhenqing while incorporating Ouyang Xun, resulting in a style that was both profound and elegant, with an outward softness and inner strength. His works were calm and composed, free from the mannerisms of officialdom, exuding an ancient charm from the transformation period of Sui and Tang dynasty regular script.

Zhang Jian’s forgeries and ghostwritten works are numerous, but none can match the spirit and essence of his authentic calligraphy. This couplet exemplifies Zhang Jian’s typical style, with elegant and robust structures, filled with dignified and scholarly spirit.

Translation of couplet: “Radiate with the predecessors, leading the successors; Gather the elite, encompassing the talents of the time.”

张謇（1853—1926），字季直、啬庵，江苏南通人。光绪二十年（1894年）状元，中国近代实业家、政治家、教育家、书法家，“江苏五才子”之一 。他是科甲出身，精擅书法，功底深厚。学颜而融以欧阳率更，立意沉厚，外柔内刚，举止安和，无馆阁之气，有隋唐楷书嬗变时期古朴的风采。

张謇伪作及代笔颇多，皆无法达到他那种读到的精气神，细观不难辨别。此联为张謇书法典型面貌，结体隽逸，苍劲厚重，充满了庙堂中正气与典雅的书卷气。

释文：辉映先达，领袖后进；网罗英茂，总揽时才。