Printmaking
$999
$1,299
In stock
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This set of four hanging scrolls is a quintessential example of Qi Baishi’s mature flower-and-insect painting style, created in his late period when he had fully refined his iconic “red flowers, black leaves” aesthetic. For Qi, painting small plants and insects was never just about depicting nature—it was a way to infuse everyday life with poetry, joy, and quiet philosophy. Each scroll focuses on a different subject, carrying rich cultural meaning: the peaches represent longevity, the lychees symbolize prosperity, the amaranth (known as “old-fashioned red”) honors the beauty of aging, and the orchids embody the scholar’s ideal of quiet virtue. Paired with tiny, lively insects—dragonflies, crickets, and beetles—the scenes come alive, balancing bold, expressive washes of color with meticulous, almost scientific depictions of the bugs. Qi painted these works during a period of immense popularity in Beijing, yet he remained deeply connected to the rural life of his youth. He often said, “I paint what I know and love,” and these scrolls reflect that belief: the simple subjects, vivid colors, and playful insects all carry the warmth of the countryside he cherished. Together, they form a harmonious set that showcases his range—from the dramatic red of the amaranth to the delicate grace of the orchids—while remaining true to his signature style of capturing the soul of nature with just a few masterful strokes.
Using bold mineral pigments and meticulous linework, the series blends symbolic subjects with lively insects, embodying Qi Baishi’s belief in capturing both the beauty and spirit of everyday nature with simplicity and warmth.
Qi Baishi
Xiangtan, Hunan
Qi Baishi (1864–1957) was a great Chinese painter, calligrapher and seal carver. He was famous for vivid shrimps, flowers and birds, with a fresh and simple artistic style.
View full profile →“The Sanyou Tang chops, the texture of the rice paper, the ink saturation — every detail you'd hope for in a piece honoring Qi Baishi's original. Packaging was museum-grade: rigid tube, archival sleeve, and a hand-signed certificate of authenticity. It now hangs in our reading room and pulls every guest into the corner. Worth every pound.”
