Qi Baishi

Qi Baishi (1864-1957), born in Xiangtan, Hunan, was a master of traditional Chinese painting in the 20th century. He was one of the top ten calligraphers and painters of the 20th century and a world-renowned cultural figure. In 1926, Qi Baishi served as honorary professor of the National Beiping Art College, honorary president of the Beiping Art Writers Association, honorary professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, research librarian of the Central Museum of Culture and History, director of the Chinese People's Association of Foreign Culture, honorary president of the Chinese Painting Academy, chairman of the Beijing Chinese Painting Research Association, and chairman of the National Artists Association; In July 1949 and September 1953, he attended the National Congress of Literary and Artistic Workers of China twice and was elected as a member of the National Federation of Literary and Art Circles consecutively; In August 1954, he was elected as the first national * * * representative; I have a deep friendship with * * * and have received an audience with them; In January 1953, the Ministry of Culture awarded him an honorary certificate and the title of "People's Artist"; In December 1955, the Academy of Arts and Sciences of the German Democratic Republic awarded him the Honorary Award of Corresponding Academician; In April 1956, the World Peace Council awarded him the 1955 International Peace Prize, and the award ceremony was held in September; In 1963, he was elected as a World Cultural Celebrity by the World Peace Council. He has written poems such as "Borrowing Mountain Recitation Pavilion Poetry Grass", "White Stone Poetry Grass", "White Stone Seal Grass", "Autobiography of White Stone Old Man", etc. Published nearly a hundred art collections, including the Complete Works of Qi Baishi.
chronology
1864 (Jiazi) 1 year old
Born on January 1st (November 22nd of the Guihai year in the lunar calendar) in Xingdoutang, Xingziwu, Xiangtan County, Hunan Province. Named Chunzhi, also known as Weiqing and Lanting. At the age of 27, he changed his name to Huang, also known as Linsheng, Baishishan Ren, and Jiyuan.
In 1870 (Gengwu), at the age of 8
My maternal grandfather Zhou Yuruo studied and often used calligraphy books, account books, and paper to draw.
In 1878 (Wuyin), at the age of 16
Learn carving and woodworking under the guidance of Zhou Zhimei. In addition to working as a carpenter, I studied flower, bird, and figure painting under the guidance of the incomplete version of the "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual".
1881 (Xinsi) 19 years old
Married Chen Chunjun.
After graduating, he still followed his master to visit households in the countryside to make carved wooden objects.
1888 (Wu Zi) 26 years old
Learn portrait painting under the tutelage of folk artist Xiao Xiangxi.
1889 (Ji Chou) 27 years old
Under the guidance of Hu Qinyuan and Chen Shaofan, he studied poetry and literature. With Hu Qinyuan's help, he broke away from his carpentry life and specialized in painting, creating portraits to support his family.
At the age of 32 in 1894 (Jiawu)
Formed the "Longshan Poetry Society" with seven people including Wang Zhongyan and was elected as the president. Later, he formed the "Luoshan Poetry Society" with Li Song'an (also known as "Song'an") and others, reciting poetry, painting, and imitating gold and stone together.
In 1899 (Jihai), at the age of 37
Study poetry and literature under the tutelage of Wang Kaiyun, a renowned scholar from Xiangtan.
The first set of printing materials for the same year's issue, 'Ji Yuan Yin Cun', was printed by Ding Jing and Huang Yi, with precise rules and can be mistaken for real.
1900 (Gengzi), 38 years old
He lived in the Meigong Temple at the foot of Lianhua Peak, calling himself the "Hundred Plum Bookstore", and built a small house in the courtyard called the "Borrowing Mountain Recitation Hall", dedicated to painting and poetry.
In 1902 (Ren Yin), at the age of 40
At the invitation of Xia Wuyi, I went to Xi'an to teach painting. I met Fan Fanshan in Xi'an and visited his collection of famous calligraphers and painters such as the Eight Great Mountains and Jin Nong. That year, his flower and bird painting style changed and he embarked on the path of freehand painting.
In 1903 (Guimao), at the age of 41
In spring, I traveled from Xi'an to Beijing and met Zeng Xi, Li Ruiquan, and others. During this time, Xia Wuyi planned to recommend Qi Baishi to Empress Dowager Cixi as a tribute to the inner court, but firmly declined.
Summer, passing through Shanghai from Beijing and returning to Hunan, this is the first long-distance trip of "Five Outings and Five Returns".
In 1904 (Jiachen), at the age of 42
Accompanied by Wang Kaiyun to Jiangxi, he traveled to Lushan, Nanchang and other places, printed the "White Stone Grass Clothes and Stone Carvings", and Wang Kaiyun wrote the preface for it.
1905 (Yi Si), 43 years old
Go to Guangxi and visit Guilin. I met Cai E and Huang Xing.
In 1906 (Bingwu), at the age of 44
Shortly after the Spring Festival, Guo Baosheng traveled from Wuzhou to Qinzhou via Guangzhou and stayed with him to teach painting. Enjoy the authentic works of Xu Wei, the Eight Great Masters, and Jin Nong, all collected by Guo. Work hard on painting, often using Guo as a ghostwriter during this time.
In autumn, I returned to Xiangtan and purchased an old house and dozens of acres of paddy fields with the salary of teaching painting.
In 1907 (Ding Wei), at the age of 45
At the turn of spring and summer, we will travel to Qinzhou, Zhaoqing, and Duanxi.
In winter, return to Xiangtan.
In 1908 (Wushen), at the age of 46
Going to Guangzhou in spring. That year, I only stayed in Xiangtan for a few days and spent the rest of my time in Guangzhou.
In 1909 (Jiyou), at the age of 47
Celebrate the Spring Festival in Guangzhou and then go to Qinzhou.
In early summer, I went to Shanghai to make a living by selling paintings. During summer and autumn, visit Suzhou. Visited Li Mei'an in Nanjing and administered seals for him in three directions.
In October, I returned to Xiangtan, ending my long journey of "five trips and five returns". Afterwards, he repaired the "Jiping Hall" in his hometown and began an 8-year mountain life, devoting himself to poetry and painting. There are many techniques used in the flower and bird paintings of Ba Da Shan Ren and Shi Tao, and the brushstrokes are more concise. However, when sketching grass and insects, they are mostly meticulous and occasionally expressed in freehand brushwork. Learning calligraphy from Jin Nong has revealed its essence.
1917 (Ding Si) 55 years old
In June, he went to Beijing to avoid the disturbance of bandits. Just in time for the restoration of Zhang Xun, he hurriedly went to Tianjin for refuge. After the situation has stabilized, we will return to Beijing and sell paintings in the south paper shop of Liulichang. During this period, he had close interactions with old friends such as Fan Fanshan, Xia Wuyi, and Guo Baosheng, and also met Chen Shizeng, Yao Mangfu, Chen Banding, and others. Among them, he established a friendship with Chen Shizeng, which had a great influence on Qi Baishi in his later years.
In the winter of that year, I left Beijing and returned to Hunan, staying in the countryside for one year.
In 1919 (Ji Wei), at the age of 57
Married Hu Baozhu and settled in Beijing from then on.
In 1922 (Renxu), at the age of 60
In spring, Chen Shizeng went to Japan to hold a Chinese painting exhibition, and all of Qi Baishi's paintings on display were sold at high prices.
In 1923 (Guihai), at the age of 61
Chen Shizeng passed away in Nanjing and wrote several poems to mourn his friend.
1925 (Yichou) 63 years old
Spring, serious illness, people don't know for seven days and nights. Sleeping on the sickbed for over a month, stopping painting and engraving.
Mei Lanfang officially studied painting under a master.
1926 (Bingyin) 64 years old
My mother and father passed away one after another, and I stopped painting and engraving twice.
1927 (Ding Mao) 65 years old
Invited by Lin Fengmian to teach at Beijing Art School.
1928 (Wuchen) 66 years old
Printing of "White Stone Seal Grass" and "Borrowing Poetry Grass from the Mountain Pavilion" (handwritten photocopies)
In 1933 (Guiyou), at the age of 71
Printing of "Baishi Poetry Grass" (eight volume lead print)
1936 (Bingzi) 74 years old
Travel to Sichuan and meet Huang Binhong.
1937 (Ding Chou) 75 years old (self proclaimed 77 years old)
According to a fortune teller from Changsha, Shu Yi claimed to be 77 years old and had secretly passed through Haifa.
In July of that year, Beiping fell and I was filled with sadness and anger, easily not seeing any visitors.
1940 (Gengchen) 78 years old (self proclaimed 80 years old)
In the first month of the lunar calendar, his wife Chen Junchun passed away and he wrote the article "Sacrifice to Lady Chen".
To resist the harassment and solicitation of paintings by Japanese invaders and traitors, a confession was posted stating that "paintings are not for sale to officials" and visitors were refused.
1944 (Jiashen) 82 years old (self proclaimed 84 years old)
In January, his stepmother Hu Baozhu passed away due to illness.
In June, the Beiping Art School refused to allocate coal.
1946 (Bingxu) 84 years old (self proclaimed 86 years old)
After the end of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Fu resumed selling paintings and engraving at Liulichang.
In October, I went to Nanjing and Shanghai to hold art exhibitions and sold more than 200 paintings. I brought back bundles of "fiat currency", which was like waste paper, but I couldn't buy 10 bags of flour.
1949 (Ji Chou) 87 years old (self proclaimed 89 years old)
In January, Beiping was liberated.
Attend the reception banquet of * * *.
Carve stone seals on both sides for * * *.
1950 (Geng Yin) 88 years old (self proclaimed 90 years old)
Serving as an honorary professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
Appointed as a librarian at the Central Museum of Culture and History.
In April, I had dinner with * * *, accompanied by Commander in Chief Zhu De.
In October, the 82 year old "Eagle" and seal script couplet "The sea is the world of dragons, the clouds are the hometown of cranes" were gifted to * * *.
Participate in the Beijing "Anti US Aid Korea Calligraphy and Painting Charity Sale Exhibition".
In winter, I painted 'Peace Dove' for the People's Daily.
1951 (Xinmao) 89 years old (self proclaimed 91 years old)
In February, more than 10 paintings participated in the Shenyang "Anti US Aid Korea Calligraphy and Painting Auction Exhibition".
1952 (Renchen) 90 years old (self proclaimed 92 years old)
In three days, create a huge "Hundred Flowers and Peace Dove" of two zhang for the "Asia Pacific Regional Peace Conference" in Beijing.
In the same year, he created several works titled 'Victory of Peace' and 'Long Live Peace'.
1953 (Guisi) 91 years old (self proclaimed 93 years old)
On January 7th, more than 200 people from the cultural and artistic circles in Beijing attended the "93rd Birthday Party of Qi Baishi", and the Ministry of Culture awarded Qi Baishi the honorary certificate of "People's Artist"*** Attended the evening banquet.
Serving as the Chairman of the Beijing Chinese Painting Research Association.
In October, he was elected as the first chairman of the board of directors of the China Artists Association.
In 1954 (Jiawu), at the age of 92 (self proclaimed as 94)
On April 28th, the China Artists Association held the "Qi Baishi Painting Exhibition" at the Palace Museum.
In August, he was elected as a deputy to the National People's Congress.
On September 15th, attended the first national * * * conference.
1955 (Year B) 93 years old (self proclaimed 95 years old)
In June, collaborated with 14 painters including Chen Banding and He Xiangning to create a large-scale "Ode to Peace" for the World Peace Conference.
1956 (Bingshen) 94 years old (self proclaimed 96 years old)
On April 27th, the World Peace Council announced the award of the "International Peace Prize" to Qi Baishi.
On September 1st, a grand award ceremony was held in Beijing, and * * * personally attended to congratulate.
1957 (Dingyou) 95 years old (self proclaimed 97 years old)
On May 15th, he was appointed as the honorary president of the Beijing Chinese Academy of Painting.
Between May and June, create the final artwork 'Peony'.
He passed away on September 16th at a hospital in Beijing.
On the morning of September 22nd, a public ceremony was held at Jiaxing Temple, attended by central leaders such as * * *.
1963 (Guimao)
Qi Baishi has been selected as one of the top ten cultural celebrities in the world.