Qi
Baishi

Qi Baishi (chin. Trad. 齊白石, Mgmt. 齐白石, Pinyin Qí Báishí) (January 1, 1864, Xiangtan, Hunan, Qing Dynasty — September 16, 1957, Beijing, China) famous Chinese painter, calligrapher and master of stone carving. Famous for its exemplary works in the genre "flowers-birds" and "plants-insects". Winner of the International prize of the World (1956).[1]

The biography of Qi Baishi immediately opens with a mystery. If the place of his birth there is no disagreement, something about dates, there are discrepancies. Most biographers agree date 1 Jan 1864, however, gives the date 22 Nov 1863[1] and there are even suggestions that Qi Baishi was born in 1861. It is definitely known that he was born in a poor peasant family in the village of Sindou Hunan province.[2]

When the boy was nine years old, he was sent to study with his grandfather, buying save a great deal of effort money writing utensils and books. Starting to learn calligraphy he became interested in and painting, to do his first drawings. However, the financial situation of the family forced Qi Baishi in a year to quit school and came back to help run the farm, herding cattle, to collect firewood. However, in his spare time he continued to write and draw. Since the money for the purchase of paper was not, he drew on sheets cut from old accounting books.[3]

Because the boy did not differ good health, at the age of twelve he was sent to the carpenter, where he also showed creative tendencies: he carved figures of animals, made snuff-boxes, woodblock prints popular prints on traditional Chinese stories about gods and heroes.[4]

At the age of 28 he became a disciple of the famous artist Hu Qinyuan and began to study Chinese national painting Guohua.[2] In 1917, arrived in Beijing, where he stayed, finally devoting himself to painting. Despite the fact that Qi Baishi and have not received even basic education, at the age of sixty-six years, he was invited to the post of Professor of painting at the Beijing University of arts.[4]

In 1953 he became the first Chairman of the Union of Chinese artists, and the Ministry of culture of China awarded him the title of "Great artist of the Chinese people". In 1954 he was elected a Deputy to the national people's Congress representatives. In the same year became one of the authors of the film "the Anthem of the world", presented by a team of Chinese artists to the world Assembly of peace. In 1956 he was awarded the International Peace prize.

Died in Beijing on 16 September 1957.

Qi Baishi work is in the collections of several leading museums, including the Museum of art of Oriental peoples (Moscow) and the Hermitage (St. Petersburg).[4]