Printmaking
Shrimp Play
by Qi Baishi · Xiangtan, Hunan$999
$1,299
In stock
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The Story
This painting is a quintessential example of Qi Baishi’s shrimp works, created during his mature period. He spent decades observing and raising shrimp in his courtyard, refining his brushwork to capture their lifelike movements and transparent bodies. The shrimp are rendered with bold black ink strokes for their heads and bodies, and delicate, flowing lines for their antennae and legs, creating a sense of fluid motion as if they are swimming in clear water. Qi often said that his shrimp “move as if alive,” and this work perfectly reflects that mastery. The vertical composition, with shrimp arranged in a natural, cascading formation, adds a sense of depth and movement to the scene. For Qi, shrimp were more than just a subject; they represented the quiet beauty of everyday life. His shrimp paintings became one of his most beloved and iconic works, admired for their simplicity, elegance, and profound artistic expression.
Craft & Process
The work uses varying shades of ink wash to depict the shrimp’s transparency and texture, paired with delicate calligraphic lines for movement. The concept centers on capturing the natural vitality of shrimp with expressive, minimalist brushwork.
About the Artist
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.
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