The Manifestation of Seal Paste Usage and Material Evolution in Gan Yang's Treatise on Seals

This study examines Gan Yang's Treatise on Seals, focusing on the role and production techniques of seal paste in the development of seal engraving art, as well as the impact of material evolution on artistic expression within seal engraving. The article notes that Gan Yang was the first to systematically document seal paste production methods, emphasizing the transition from sealing clay to vermilion paste and its artistic function in calligraphy and painting seals. It also explores the expressive differences of various seal materials — such as bronze, jade, and stone — in seal engraving, particularly highlighting how the widespread use of stone propelled seal engraving into a vital medium for literati art. The article argues that the evolution of seal paste and seal materials collectively formed the material foundation for seal carving's transition from utility to art, reflecting Ming literati seal carvers' conscious pursuit of “ancient charm” and “elegant taste”.