The Art of Seal Engraving of Wang Zhuangwei

• Main Authors: li kuo yang, 李國揚
• Other Authors: 黃 冬 富
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/21871501130142357669

碩士 === 國立屏東師範學院 === 視覺藝術教育學系 === 92 === This study was done by “historical research”, “form & style research” and “interview research” in order to clarify Wang Zhuangwei’s seal engraving development (1909-1998), his points of view of calligraphy and seal, the origins and styles of seal engraving, and his achievements and contributions on seal engraving. Generally, the development of Wang Zhuangwei’s seal engraving not only well played the role of a bridge across old and new ages, but also reflected the movement of the big era. The characteristics and achievements of his seal engraving could be inducted into following points: I. Wang always updated and properly used the environmental resource. The key for Wang Zhuangwei to make a success of seal engraving was that he was good at adopting the background of the big era and his life experiences. Because the Study of Epigraph-Evidences was popular in Chin Dynasty, a lot of know-how books about the Study were published since then and Wang Zhuangwei did well use those books. Besides, Wang had an abundant knowledge of the different divisions of seals and their styles, and he also made friends with experts in order to learn from each other. II. Wang’s points of view of calligraphy and seal were clear and broad. After Wang Zhuangwei asserted theories through continually practicing, he would exanimate his works via the existed theories. He believed that new ideas must come from good understanding of old but precious theories. In addition, he tried to improve his quality of creativity and the sense of art by theory study and collecting. III. He adopted all the advantages of different divisions and viewed old theories as new. A. The developing steps of Wang’s seal engraving styles was as following: 1. Before the age of 55, he tried hard to learn from different styles of seals in order to inherit the tradition. 2. Between the age of 55 and 65, he not just took the ancient artists’ points of view for reference, but also had the strong sense of self creating. 3. Between the age of 65 and 74, he amalgamated different styles of seals and established his own style. 4. After the age of 75, his seal style was not limited by any single form. B. The characteristics and achievements of Wang Zhuangwei’s art of seal engraving were as following: 1. He was a supporter of various divisions. 2. He mixed the engraving method of Zhejiang Area and the epigraphy of Han Dynasty to produce a new elegant style. 3. He perfectly combining the forms and words of engraving and obviously showed his seal engraving skills and knowledge. 4. He took sealing styles as the ideas of creation and created an abundance of engraving content. 5. His materials of seal engraving broadly included animals, plants and minerals. 6. He not just directly learned from different styles of sealing engraving, but also took all the materials and arts related to seals such as calligraphy, painting, architecture, and engraving as reference for inspiration. IV. He founded clubs to promote the art of seal engraving. After coming to Taiwan, Wang Zhuangwei not just put efforts on the works of calligraphy and seal, but also founded clubs with friends who were also interested in the same field. Hai-chiao Sealing Engraving Group and Seal Engraving Society of The Republic of China were two associations which had a deep influence for the following years. V. He passed on the art of seal engraving. A. His contribution on spreading the art of seal engraving was credited. B. He had a deep influence on private schools. VI. He set a good example on both seal engraving morally and skillfully. Wang Zhuangwei undoubtedly was the representative of combining the seal divisions of Ming and Chin Dynasties and today’s seal engraving artist in Taiwan. The reason was that Wang’s creations presented highly elegant moral and perfectly professional skills. The main stage of Wang Zhuangwei’s seal engraving was in Taiwan: Wang was an excellent seal engraving artist according to his unbelievable achievement. If you study his theories, it was obviously to know that he was also had a good knowledge of seal theories. Wang’s efforts on promoting the art of seal engraving was undoubted from the clubs founded, exhibitions and books published. Wang taught seal engraving via schools made him an educator, too. Wang played a multi-role on the development of art of seal engraving. Therefore, he could be the great representative of today’s seal engraving in Taiwan and a wonderful example in the field of seal engraving.