Qin and Han · Calligrapher and Official

Zhong You 鐘元常

Zhong Yuanchang

Attested AD 151 - AD 230

Passages: 3
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Zhong You was a Calligrapher and Official.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 151 to AD 230 鐘元常
Directly stated · Book of Liang 35, passage 186

Learning and skills

Skill calligraphy 書 · Level canonical-model
Directly stated · Book of Liang 35, passages 186, 193

References in the histories

Book of Liang, Chapter 35Volume 35: Xiao Zike; Xiao Zifan; Xiao Zixian; Xiao Ziyun · 3 passages

自雲善效鐘元常、王逸少而微變字體。 He himself said he was skilled at imitating Zhong You and Wang Xizhi while slightly varying the character forms.

又以逸少之不及元常，猶子敬之不及逸少。 and also that Xizhi does not match You, just as Zi Jing does not match Xizhi.

其書迹雅爲高祖所重，嘗論子雲書曰：「筆力勁駿，心手相應，巧逾杜度，美過崔寔，當與元常並驅爭先。」 His calligraphic traces were elegantly valued by the Emperor, who once discussed Ziyun's writing, saying, "Brush strength vigorous and fleet, heart and hand in accord; skill surpassing Du Du, beauty exceeding Cui Shi—he ought to race neck and neck with You."