This study aims at exploring the history of Korean calligraphy and Changma, Samman Lee's calligraphy by dividing calligraphy into schools of rational and emotional calligraphy. This approach helps to provide a more various and broader understanding of...
This study aims at exploring the history of Korean calligraphy and Changma, Samman Lee's calligraphy by dividing calligraphy into schools of rational and emotional calligraphy. This approach helps to provide a more various and broader understanding of the materials of calligraphy and presents a new way to understand the identity of Korean calligraphy. Changam, Samman Lee(1770-1847) possessed a very unique calligraphy style. This study investigates the commonalities and differences of Changam's calligraphy from his predecessors in terms of both his rational and emotional calligraphy styles. In the late Josun Dynasty, Changam freely pursued both rational and emotional calligraphy styles, not clinging to elaboration. His calligraphy practice and theory had two special aspects. His rational calligraphy style was shown in epitaphs or printed-style tablets, and his emotional style was written with printed, semi-cursive and cursive style. Both of his styles resulted from his unique consciousness of calligraphy. Changam's rational calligraphy style was based on his strict academic standards, serious consideration of process, and his endless endeavor to enter the ideal world of calligraphy. Meanwhile, his emotional calligraphy style was based on Jinhanwe's calligraphy which was different from Jindang calligraphy that had aesthetics of ugliness, pursuing strong strokes and a temperament overcoming the soft beauty. Changam's calligraphy presents Jinhanwe's style of strong, simple and honest strokes as well as reflecting the calligraphy trend of the late Joson Dynasty which focused on Jongyo, Wangheji. That is, his calligraphy crosses the boundaries between rational and emotional calligraphy and his aesthetics of calligraphy, as one of ugliness, shows another trend of Joson's calligraphy.