Qi BaiShi
China, 1864-1957
Artist's works
Artist Profile

Introduction and Experience
Qi Baishi (1864–1957), originally named Qi Chunzhi, courtesy name Weiqing, was a native of Xiangtan, Hunan Province. He also used the pseudonyms Baishi Shanren and Jiping Laoren. Born into a farming family, he was physically weak from childhood, but diligently studied calligraphy, painting, poetry, and seal carving. As a young man, he worked as a carpenter, acquiring strong hands and carving skills, an experience that profoundly influenced his later seal carving and brushwork. In adulthood, he turned to painting for a living. From the age of 42, his style gradually shifted from meticulous brushwork to freehand style, boldly using contrasts of crimson and deep black ink, gradually forming a unique style of his own.
Qi Baishi's art blends the essence of literati painting with elements of folk art. His subjects cover landscapes, flowers and birds, insects, fish and shrimp, fruits and vegetables, and everyday objects. In his later years, he was particularly skilled at depicting vivid subjects such as shrimp, crabs, and frogs, and his brushwork formed a unique style. He emphasized that "the beauty of painting lies in the balance between resemblance and non-resemblance; too much resemblance is vulgar, and too little is deceitful." His works are both natural and genuine, yet full of elegance and human touch, combining folk simplicity with literati refinement.
In terms of painting style, Qi Baishi's early works were characterized by fresh and neat brushstrokes, while his middle works gradually became more vigorous and grand. In his later years, his skills reached perfection, with simple yet grand compositions. He was adept at combining bold, large-scale flowers with delicate insects, presenting a harmonious and complementary effect. He created an artistic realm that was both elegant and popular, close to life, and full of innovation, making him one of the most influential painters in 20th-century China. He was as famous as Zhang Daqian, and the two were known as "Zhang in the South and Qi in the North".
Exhibitions and Awards
"Qi Baishi and His Shandong Disciples" 2026, Shandong Art Museum, Shandong, China
"A Thousand Years of Interpretation: Masterpieces by Xu Beihong, Qi Baishi, and Zhang Daqian from the Xu Beihong Memorial Hall Collection," Guardian Art Center, Beijing, China, 2026.
"New Year Gathering: Exhibition of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art Masters" 2026, Hong Kong Cultural Fair, Hong Kong
"Lotus Blossoms in Pairs, Plum Blossoms in Harmony – The Art World of Qi Baishi" in 2025, Wynn Palace Macau's "Illuminarium" exhibition.
"Qi Baishi: Ink and Color Inspiration," 2025, Asian Painting Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), Boston, USA.
"Between Brush and Ink: Affection and Integrity in the Masterpieces" 2025, Chang-Liu Art Museum Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
"Refusing to Be an Immortal: Masterpieces by Qi Baishi from the Collection of the Beijing Academy of Painting," Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, USA, 2024.
"A Thousand Years of Brush and Axe: A Commemorative Exhibition for the 160th Anniversary of Qi Baishi's Birth" 2024, Chang-Liu Art Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
"Little Fish Cares: Qi Baishi's World of Life" 2024, Beijing Fine Art Academy Art Museum, Beijing, China
2019 "Innovation Transforms, Classics Remain" - Quanta Arts & Culture, New Taipei City, Taiwan
"The Double Stone Project: Qi Baishi and Shi Lu", 2016, Yixin Art Museum, Hong Kong
"Qi Baishi Commemorative Exhibition", 1984, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Exhibition of Qi Baishi's Posthumous Works, 1958, Beijing, China


