QI BAISHI CRABS SCROLL PAINTING

Qi Baishi (齊白石 1864-1957) Chinese traditional scroll painting, ink and color on paper laid to silk, hanging scroll. Signed. Painting of a cast of mitten crabs scuttling about, by Qi Baishi (1864-1957). Crab may resemble beneficial business, prosperity, or elevated social status. Each crab is uniquely painted with varying shades of ink. Qi Baishi is known for his imaginative and care-free approach to traditional Chinese painting which is most likely a product of starting as a self-taught artist. He was influenced by notable masters such as Bada Shanren and Xu Wei both from the Qing and Ming Dynasties respectively. Qi Baishi also learned from works like ‘Manual of the Mustard Seed Garden’ or Jieziyuan Huapu. Semi-cursive characters can be found in the upper right-hand corner followed by Qi Baishi’s red seal mark. Another red seal can be found in the bottom left hand corner.