程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)進士(shi)(shi)及第后,授內翰(han)(han)林秘書院編修(xiu)。不(bu)(bu)(bu)久,遷(qian)秘書院修(xiu)撰,從事(shi)譯注(zhu)《五經》事(shi)宜。程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)歷官翰(han)(han)林國(guo)史(shi)院修(xiu)撰、湖(hu)廣提學(xue)(xue)道、湖(hu)廣布政(zheng)司(si)右參議、詹事(shi)府左(zuo)春坊左(zuo)諭德(de)等職。順(shun)(shun)治九年(nian)(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)以編修(xiu)出(chu)任(ren)會試同考官。順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian),出(chu)任(ren)直隸(li)學(xue)(xue)政(zheng)。順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)(shi)年(nian)(nian)六(liu)月(yue),程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)提督(du)順(shun)(shun)天學(xue)(xue)政(zheng)。不(bu)(bu)(bu)久,遷(qian)國(guo)史(shi)院侍講學(xue)(xue)士(shi)(shi)。順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)(shi)三年(nian)(nian)十(shi)(shi)(shi)一月(yue),程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)為弘文院侍讀(du)學(xue)(xue)士(shi)(shi),順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)(shi)四年(nian)(nian)十(shi)(shi)(shi)月(yue)為少(shao)詹事(shi)兼侍講學(xue)(xue)士(shi)(shi)。康熙三年(nian)(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)以侍讀(du)學(xue)(xue)士(shi)(shi)充任(ren)赴(fu)安(an)南正使。此間,程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)“宣暢德(de)威,不(bu)(bu)(bu)抗不(bu)(bu)(bu)抑,臨(lin)走時,遠人爭(zheng)賦詩(shi)餞送。”而后,程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)任(ren)詹事(shi)府少(shao)詹事(shi),升(sheng)太常(chang)(chang)寺(si)卿(qing)。深受康熙帝賞識,潘(pan)蜀藻稱(cheng):“公(指程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao))嘗(chang)奉宣于御前,伏(fu)幾(ji)作大字(zi)。上嘉其端勁,方(fang)欲(yu)大用(yong)之。”尋還(huan),康熙七(qi)年(nian)(nian)正月(yue),程(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)擢(zhuo)太常(chang)(chang)寺(si)卿(qing)。官至太常(chang)(chang)寺(si)卿(qing)。
晚年,程芳朝以疾(ji)病纏身,辭(ci)官歸(gui)里,不(bu)再復出為官。當時人稱程芳朝“為人平易正(zheng)真,悃愊(bi)無華,天性純(chun)厚,不(bu)事(shi)(shi)園(yuan)亭絲竹之娛(yu)……乞休歸(gui),杜門(men)卻掃,旨與人事(shi)(shi)。”
他(ta)能詩文(wen)。清代(dai)詩人(ren)們稱(cheng)頌(song)他(ta):“聽夕陽(yang)惟閉門(men),讀書窮四(si)部。墨妙(miao)宗平原,藝(yi)苑(yuan)稱(cheng)獨步(bu)。”也善于(yu)書法,尤其擅(shan)長(chang)行(xing)草。他(ta)的書法特點是(shi)書寫得體、雄(xiong)強茂密(mi)、精(jing)力內含(han)、瘦勁有法,高(gao)深絕人(ren)。運(yun)筆流(liu)暢,行(xing)如流(liu)水,一氣(qi)呵成。結構(gou)沉著,真(zhen)情流(liu)動,點畫飛揚(yang)。體現(xian)出(chu)他(ta)深得顏體行(xing)草風(feng)格之妙(miao)。