Chinese calligraphy treats writing as an art of brushwork, form and composition.
Script categories#
UNESCO identifies seal, clerical, cursive, running and regular scripts in its description. Works can appear on scrolls, letters and fan coverings, among other surfaces.
Heritage record#
Chinese calligraphy entered UNESCO’s Representative List in 2009. Instruction includes master–student learning and school teaching.
A viewing exercise#
Choose one work and compare line thickness, spacing and the arrangement of characters. Read the museum label for the artist, script and date before attributing a style or period yourself.