Mi Fu (米芾, Mǐ Fú, 1051-1107) was a Chinese calligrapher, painter and poet born in Shanxi Province, regarded as one of the four greatest calligraphers in Song Dynasty. His calligraphy followed the style of Wang Xizhi (王羲之, Wáng Xīzhī, traditionally referred to as Sage of Calligraphy) and developed a unique style of his own.
Mi Fu was among those for whom writing or calligraphy was intimately connected with the composing of poetry. It required an alertness of mind and spirit, which he thought was best achieved through the enjoyment of wine. Through this he reached a state of excitement rather than drunkenness. Su Shi (苏轼, Sū Shì), one of the four greatest calligraphers in Song Dynasty, admired him and wrote that his brush is like a sharp sword handled skillfully in fight or a bow which could shoot the arrow far away, piercing anything that might be in its way. Mi Fu always pursued ancient styles of calligraphy and assimilated the spirit of calligraphers of the Qin dynasty.
Mi Fu was good at imitating great calligraphers of the Six Dynasties; some of the imitations were so good that they were taken for the originals.
Mi Fu was among those for whom writing or calligraphy was intimately connected with the composing of poetry. It required an alertness of mind and spirit, which he thought was best achieved through the enjoyment of wine. Through this he reached a state of excitement rather than drunkenness. Su Shi (苏轼, Sū Shì), one of the four greatest calligraphers in Song Dynasty, admired him and wrote that his brush is like a sharp sword handled skillfully in fight or a bow which could shoot the arrow far away, piercing anything that might be in its way. Mi Fu always pursued ancient styles of calligraphy and assimilated the spirit of calligraphers of the Qin dynasty.
Mi Fu was good at imitating great calligraphers of the Six Dynasties; some of the imitations were so good that they were taken for the originals.