Qi Baishi (1863-1957)

Qi Baishi was a versatile artist.  Although he could paint excellent human figures, animals, and landscapes, he was mainly known for his flowers, birds, insects and fish, which were his major themes in later life. He particularly enjoyed painting rural scenes.

Qi Baishi brushwork is exceptionally fluent and his position of red and black creates a strong feeling of autumnal richness and response.

Qi Baishi's works have a fresh lyrical quality and sought to achieve a ¡°likeness both in shape and spirit" of the things he portrayed.  He was able to suggest the essence of a subject with a few brief strokes. 

 One can perceive in his art a high sense of reality.  Everything he painted is bubbling with life, joy, optimism and often humor, this reflected his own view of the world.

[source:ebeijing.gov.cn]