Wang Shichen

Wang Shichen

Wang Shichen (1680-1729) was born in Changzhou, Jiangnan (now Suzhou, Jiangsu). Wang Shichen is the eighth grandson of Wang Zhen in Ming Dynasty. His father, Wang Quan, Yu Dongfa, was elected in the rural examination in 1690. He was well-known for his sincere friendship and faithfulness. His calligraphy and painting were extremely exquisite.

Personal experience

Shichen was born and grew up in such a family. His personality, knowledge and hobbies were deeply influenced by his father. Wang Shichen won the first place in the imperial examination of renchenke in 1712, and was awarded the bachelor degree of official biography. Yongzheng four years (1726) as Shandong Xuezheng, tired of at least Zhanshi officials. He died in the palace in 1729. Wang Shichen is simple and plain, his knowledge is very similar to his character. During his term of Academic Administration in Shandong Province, he actively advocated the simple style of study, but strongly denounced the spirit of superficiality and hypocrisy, which changed the academic atmosphere in Shandong Province and won the praise of scholars at that time. Shichen's calligraphy and painting art was deeply influenced by his father Wang Quan, but he lived in the Imperial Academy and never wrote and painted easily, so his calligraphy and painting skills are not well known. In addition, most of his works are not signed, which is difficult to confirm even if they are occasionally circulated.

Personal achievement

The Qing Dynasty commented on Wang Shichen's rare works and said, "the pen of a scholar has no trace of carving.". (Li Yusu). He is the author of Qiao Chao Xiaogao and Lu Yuan Conghua.