Gai Qi 改琦

Gai Qi (改琦) was a Chinese painter born in 1774 and died in 1829, known for his contributions to the Qing dynasty's literati painting tradition. He was a prominent figure in the Shanghai School, which emphasized expressive brushwork and a departure from the more rigid styles of earlier periods. Gai Qi is particularly celebrated for his delicate and refined paintings of women, which often depicted scenes from classical Chinese literature and poetry. His work had a significant impact on the development of figure painting in China, influencing subsequent generations of artists. Throughout his life, Gai Qi was also active as a poet and calligrapher, further cementing his status as a versatile and influential cultural figure of his time.