Zheng Xie

Zheng Xie (1693-1765), courtesy name Kerou, and famously known by his art name Banqiao, stands as one of the most distinctive and influential painters and calligraphers of the mid-Qing dynasty. A key member of the group later designated the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, his contribution redefined the expressive potential of ink painting, particularly through his mastery of bamboo and stone subjects.

Zheng Banqiao’s early life was marked by poverty, a stark contrast to the high status he later attained by excelling in the imperial examination system. He served for twelve years as a respected magistrate in Shandong. However, his tenure was cut short by a pronounced disillusionment with the rigid demands of officialdom. He refused the required ingratiation with senior officials, and, notably, resigned after being criticized for financing and constructing shelter for the region’s poor. This pivotal moment liberated him artistically, allowing him to dedicate himself fully to painting and the development of his singular style.

His artistic legacy rests primarily on his rendering of flora, especially orchids and bamboo. His compositions, such as Bamboo and Poem and Misty Bamboo on a Distant Mountain, are not merely botanical studies; they are exercises in emotional expression and calligraphic virtuosity. He innovatively blended the techniques of painting with the structural fluidity of clerical script and standard script calligraphy, creating an aesthetic that appeared at once naturalistic and powerfully abstract. The bamboo stalks and leaves often possess a wind-tossed vitality, reflecting the independent and occasionally critical spirit of the artist himself.

While primarily associated with the anti-establishment attitude of the Eccentrics, Zheng Xie briefly resumed an official position in 1748, serving the Qianlong Emperor as an "official calligrapher and painter." This appointment confirms that even his unorthodox style was appreciated at the highest level of imperial culture.

Today, the intellectual depth and technical precision of Zheng Xie paintings assure their place in major international holdings, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art. The continuous scholarly interest in his work has made his compositions highly valued, with many collectors seeking downloadable artwork and high-quality prints for study and appreciation.