Qian Chenqun (1686–1774), courtesy name Zhujing and art name Xiangshu, was a native of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, in the Qing dynasty. His calligraphic style can be understood not only from the perspective of technical transmission but also within the context of poetic exchanges between court literary officials and the emperor during the Qing period. Through his commendation of the Qian family tradition, the Qianlong Emperor conferred an orthodox status upon Qian Chenqun's calligraphy, providing the essential precondition for his distinction among the numerous court literary officials. Qian Chenqun's adoption of Zhao Mengfu's calligraphic style was shaped by the artistic trends of his time and also benefited from the fortuitous opportunity to become acquainted with the Qing collector An Qi. In his later years, his "aged and vigorous" calligraphic style developed into a form of running-cursive script characterized by seasoned mastery, naturalness, and spontaneity under the combined influence of physiological decline and imperial expectations.

Zhenhao Zhu. The Formative Context of Qian Chenqun's "Aged and Vigorous" Calligraphic Style and Emperor–Minister Interaction. Frontiers in Art Research (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 3: 16-22. https://doi.org/10.25236/FAR.2026.080303.

[1] Qian Yiji. Chronological Biography of Grand Secretary Wenduan Qian Chenqun (Modern Chinese Historical Materials Collection, Vol. 35) [M]. Taipei: Wenhai Publishing House, 1973.

[2] Aisin Gioro Hongli. Imperial Poems, Fourth Collection (Complete Collection of Qianlong Emperor's Imperial Poetry and Prose, Vol. 7) [M]. Beijing: Renmin University of China Press, 2013.

[3] Qian Chenqun. Collected Works of Xiangshu Studio (Compilation of Qing Dynasty Poetry and Prose Collections, Vol. 262) [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 2010.

[4] Aisin Gioro Hongli. Imperial Poems, Second Collection (Complete Collection of Qianlong Emperor's Imperial Poetry and Prose, Vol. 3) [M]. Beijing: Renmin University of China Press, 2013.

[5] Qian Chenqun. Supplement to the Poetry Collection of Xiangshu Studio (Compilation of Qing Dynasty Poetry and Prose Collections, Vol. 261) [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 2010.

[6] Zhen Jun. A Brief Compilation of Calligraphers of the Present Dynasty (Collection of Qing Dynasty Biographical Works, Vol. 85) [M]. Taipei: Mingwen Publishing House, 1985.

[7] Qian Chenqun. Supplementary Transcriptions of the Collected Works of Xiangshu Studio (Compilation of Qing Dynasty Poetry and Prose Collections, Vol. 262) [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 2010.