Qi Baishi: Inspiration in Ink

Exhibition Catalog

Reaching new heights with both its influential style and its staggering auction prices, the work of Qi Baishi (Chinese, 1864–1957) remains an inspiration to audiences worldwide. Blending expertly minimal brushwork with passages of abstraction, Qi changed the course of traditional Chinese painting. His ink paintings capture everyday scenes and familiar moments, evoking the essential beauty of nature and the joy of life’s simple pleasures.

In addition to 40 memorable works on paper, Qi Baishi: Inspiration in Ink features interactive experiences and a display of correspondence from the artist to his patrons. These handwritten letters offer an intimate, personal view of the unassuming man whose innovative style ushered Chinese ink painting into the modern era.

Exhibition on view at the Asian Art Museum from the Beijing Fine Art Academy on the 160th anniversary of the artist’s birth, Qi Baishi: Inspiration in Ink provides a closer look at this important figure in the history of art.

December 12, 2024- April 7, 2025