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Zhang Xu

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Zhang Xu (Chinese: 張旭; pinyin: Zhāng Xù; 658? - 747?) was a Chinese calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty.

A native of Suzhou, he became an imperial official during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. Zhang was known as one of the Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup. An anecdote goes that once he, being drunk, used his hair as brush to peform his art. Though more well-known for his explosive "wild cursive script", he excelled in the regular script. Legend has it that he got the essence of cursive script by observing some porters fight for their way with a guard of honor of a princess, and by watching the solo performance of a famous sword-dancer.

Traditionally Zhang Xu is paired with the younger Huai Su as the two greatest cursive calligraphers of the Tang Dynasty. The duo is affectionately referred to as "the crazy Zhang and the drunk Su" (顛張醉素).

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