At the age of 71, Yan Zhenqing (709-785) erected this stele for his great grandfather Yan Qinli. It was found buried, and only unearthed in 1922 from the site of a government office in Xi'an. Even though it sustains a fracture, most of the characters remain intact in this mature work of Yan. This stele demonstrates the use of round brushworks to create characters with a smooth, rich and rounded shape. Compact, powerful, replete with inner richness and outward majesty, this piece is a work of pure artistry. The regal and elegant style also reflects the flourishing art and culture of the Tang period.