程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)進士(shi)及第后(hou)(hou),授內翰(han)林(lin)(lin)秘書(shu)院(yuan)編修。不久,遷秘書(shu)院(yuan)修撰,從事(shi)(shi)譯(yi)注(zhu)《五經(jing)》事(shi)(shi)宜(yi)。程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)歷(li)官(guan)(guan)翰(han)林(lin)(lin)國史院(yuan)修撰、湖(hu)廣(guang)提學道(dao)、湖(hu)廣(guang)布政(zheng)(zheng)司(si)右參(can)議、詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi)(shi)府左春(chun)坊左諭(yu)德(de)等職。順(shun)(shun)治九年(nian)(nian)(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)以編修出任會試同考官(guan)(guan)。順(shun)(shun)治十年(nian)(nian)(nian),出任直隸學政(zheng)(zheng)。順(shun)(shun)治十年(nian)(nian)(nian)六(liu)月(yue),程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)提督(du)順(shun)(shun)天學政(zheng)(zheng)。不久,遷國史院(yuan)侍(shi)(shi)講(jiang)學士(shi)。順(shun)(shun)治十三年(nian)(nian)(nian)十一月(yue),程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)為(wei)弘文院(yuan)侍(shi)(shi)讀(du)學士(shi),順(shun)(shun)治十四(si)年(nian)(nian)(nian)十月(yue)為(wei)少詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi)(shi)兼侍(shi)(shi)講(jiang)學士(shi)。康熙三年(nian)(nian)(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)以侍(shi)(shi)讀(du)學士(shi)充(chong)任赴(fu)安南正使(shi)。此間,程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)“宣(xuan)暢德(de)威,不抗不抑,臨走時,遠人爭(zheng)賦詩餞送。”而(er)后(hou)(hou),程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)任詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi)(shi)府少詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi)(shi),升太常(chang)寺(si)卿。深受(shou)康熙帝賞識,潘蜀藻稱:“公(指程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao))嘗奉宣(xuan)于(yu)御前,伏幾作大(da)(da)字(zi)。上嘉(jia)其端勁,方欲(yu)大(da)(da)用(yong)之(zhi)。”尋還,康熙七年(nian)(nian)(nian)正月(yue),程(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)芳(fang)朝(chao)擢太常(chang)寺(si)卿。官(guan)(guan)至太常(chang)寺(si)卿。
晚(wan)年,程芳(fang)朝(chao)以(yi)疾病纏身(shen),辭官(guan)歸里,不再(zai)復出為(wei)官(guan)。當時人(ren)稱程芳(fang)朝(chao)“為(wei)人(ren)平易(yi)正真,悃愊無華(hua),天(tian)性純厚,不事園(yuan)亭絲竹之娛……乞休歸,杜門卻掃(sao),旨與人(ren)事。”
他(ta)能(neng)詩(shi)(shi)文。清(qing)代詩(shi)(shi)人(ren)們稱(cheng)頌(song)他(ta):“聽夕陽(yang)惟閉(bi)門,讀書(shu)窮四部。墨妙(miao)宗平原(yuan),藝苑稱(cheng)獨步(bu)。”也(ye)善于書(shu)法(fa),尤(you)其擅長行草。他(ta)的書(shu)法(fa)特點(dian)(dian)是(shi)書(shu)寫得體、雄強茂(mao)密、精力內含、瘦勁(jing)有法(fa),高深(shen)絕(jue)人(ren)。運筆流暢,行如流水,一氣呵成。結(jie)構沉著,真情流動(dong),點(dian)(dian)畫飛揚。體現出他(ta)深(shen)得顏體行草風格之妙(miao)。