Qiu Ying

Lore & Background

His family moved to Suzhou, where he apprenticed as a lacquer artisan, painting decorations on lacquer-ware. Despite humble origins, his natural talent led him to study painting under Zhou Chen. His gift for copying paintings allowed him to study Song and Yuan dynasty works in Jiangnan collections, broadening his artistic scope and leading to the emergence of his own style.

Reader's Guide

Qiu Ying's significance lies in his role as one of the Four Masters of the Ming dynasty, reflecting his talent and versatility. Though Suzhou's Wu School favored ink washes, Qiu Ying also painted in the blue-and-green style and incorporated diverse techniques, giving his figure, landscape, and flower paintings originality. He is also noted for erotic depictions, known as 'intimate play pictures' or 'spring paintings,' which gained popularity in Southern China during the Ming dynasty. Works attributed to Qiu Ying are held in numerous international museums, reflecting his enduring influence.

Did You Know?

• Qiu Ying was born to a peasant family in Taicang and apprenticed as a lacquer artisan before studying painting under Zhou Chen.
• He worked with wealthy patrons including Chen Guan in Suzhou, Zhou Fenglai in Kunshan, and Xiang Yuanbian in Jiaxing.
• His gift for copying paintings allowed him to study Song and Yuan dynasty works in Jiangnan collections.
• His best-known original works include 'Harp player in a pavilion' (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), 'The Emperor Guangwu Fording a River' (National Gallery of Canada), and 'Dwellings of the Immortals - Jade Cave Fairy' (Palace Museum, Beijing).
• His daughter Qiu Zhu and son-in-law You Qiu continued his painting legacy, with You Qiu serving as a muralist for poet Wang Shizhen.