Four-Screen Series in Ancient Seal and Clerical Script《临古篆隶书法四条屏》

Wang Fuchang (1879–1960)
Wang Fuchang, given name Chi, courtesy name Weiji, pseudonym Fuchang, and after the age of seventy, self-styled as Chimo Laoren, was a renowned modern calligrapher and seal carver from Hangzhou, Zhejiang. He was particularly skilled in seal script and clerical script and, along with Wu Changshuo and Ding Ren, founded the Xiling Seal Art Society during the late Qing dynasty. In the early Republic of China, he moved to Beijing and worked at the Mint Bureau, later moving to Shanghai where he made a living by selling his calligraphy and seal carvings. After the liberation, he became a painter at the China Academy of Art.

Wang Fuchang’s calligraphy is known for its elegant and graceful brushwork, with beautiful and solid lines. His seal and clerical scripts are highly regarded. In his use of lines, he paid particular attention to starting and ending strokes, achieving a balance of strength and grace. His characters are symmetrical and balanced, with long and flowing strokes, creating a sense of reserved elegance and serene dignity. His clerical script is as refined as his seal script, with distinct personal characteristics. However, due to his slow and even brushwork, there can sometimes be a sense of monotony. His strengths and weaknesses lie in this approach.

王福厂（1879—1960），名褆，字维季，号福厂，七十岁后自号持默老人，近现代书法篆刻大家，浙江杭州人。尤工篆隶，清末与吴昌硕、丁仁等创设西泠印社。民国初年到京，任职于印铸局，后至沪鬻字刻印自给，解放后为中国画院画师。

王福厂书法用笔典雅婉约，线条优美凝重，篆、隶书法被世人推重。在线条的运用上，起笔收笔讲究藏头和护尾，能够做到当直则直、该挺则挺、当婉则婉、该曲则曲，干净利落。字体结构对称均衡，字型修长，笔画婉转通畅，有一种含蓄清雅、安详静穆之感，其隶书亦如篆书，个人特征十分明显。但由于他行笔过于缓慢均匀，有时不免有些单调。其得处在此，失处亦在此。