Zhou Hengbang 
Originating from the Brush and Knife [EPUB ebook] 
Artistic Creations of Han Dynasty Clerks (Refined Edition)

During the Han Dynasty, the "yuan shi, " selected by their superiors, served as subordinate officials, predominantly in roles such as secretaries, assistants, and advisors, with responsibilities including the drafting and transcription of official documents, aiding in the administration of higher-ranking officials, and bridging communication between the government and the populace. Despite their generally low status, they made up the majority of the bureaucratic and intellectual communities during the Two Han periods. They were instrumental in the everyday use of calligraphy and seals, the establishment of monuments and temples, and the creation of refined musical and literary works, thus fostering the expansion of artistic domains, the elevation of creative capacities, the aggregation of classic pieces, and the propagation of systems. This book focuses on the "yuan shi" who served in central government departments, vassal states of kings and marquises, and local administrations, appointed by senior officials. It draws on bamboo slips, inscriptions, poetry, odes, stone carvings, painted bricks, tomb murals, and art treatises to explore the diverse artistic activities and phenomena of these officials who were in charge of culture and the arts, relying on benevolence to engage in artistic pursuits. The book examines their relationships with senior officials and Confucian scholars from an artistic creation perspective, dissecting their creative patterns, contexts, and characteristics. It thereby establishes the impact and significance of the "yuan shi" of the Two Han on various aspects of ancient Chinese art, including the differentiation of artistic subjects, enhancement of artistic creativity, evolution of diverse art forms, accumulation of classic works, development of artistic styles, transmission of artistic concepts, and the formation of artistic schools.