Ren Yi (任頤)

Ren Yi (任頤) was an artist documented as active across the nineteenth century, with a recognized period of production spanning 1800 to 1890. While specific biographical details regarding nationality or artistic movement are often limited, the surviving body of work indicates a strong focus on subjects drawn from the natural world.

The artist is represented in major North American institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. Works attributed to Ren Yi (任頤) in these collections include eight paintings and two other documented pieces. Compositional themes frequently revolve around flora and fauna, such as Cranes, Pine Tree, and Lichen, Flowers and Birds, and Animals, Flowers and Birds. Specific examples of the artist’s output include the detailed natural study Two Birds Perched on a Flowering Rose Bush, alongside figural pieces such as Scholar on a rock.

Today, many Ren Yi (任頤) paintings and related prints are valued as museum-quality works. Due to the timeframe of their creation, much of this material resides in the public domain, making high-quality prints and downloadable artwork accessible for academic and private study.