Gao Qipei
Encyclopedia
Gāo Qípeì was born in Jiangxi
to a family of Manchu ethnicity. He had success as an official in southern China
, but is best known today as a painter
. He initially gained reputation as an artist who did landscape
s and figures in traditional style. By age twenty, he became known as an eccentric
who preferred using his fingers instead of a brush
. This style had precedents as Zhang Zhao also preferred finger painting, but Gāo Qípeì went further. He grew his fingernail
s long to make them more effect instruments, and used his entire hand to create a highly individualized style.
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
to a family of Manchu ethnicity. He had success as an official in southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, but is best known today as a painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. He initially gained reputation as an artist who did landscape
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
s and figures in traditional style. By age twenty, he became known as an eccentric
Eccentricity (behavior)
In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive...
who preferred using his fingers instead of a brush
Brush
A brush is a tool with bristles, wire or other filaments, used for cleaning, grooming hair, make up, painting, surface finishing and for many other purposes. It is one of the most basic and versatile tools known to mankind, and the average household may contain several dozen varieties...
. This style had precedents as Zhang Zhao also preferred finger painting, but Gāo Qípeì went further. He grew his fingernail
Nail (anatomy)
A nail is a horn-like envelope covering the dorsal aspect of the terminal phalanges of fingers and toes in humans, most non-human primates, and a few other mammals. Nails are similar to claws, which are found on numerous other animals....
s long to make them more effect instruments, and used his entire hand to create a highly individualized style.
Sources
- Chinese Paintings in the Ashmolean Museum Oxford(51) OxfordOxfordThe city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
ISBN 1-85444-132-9 - Rijksmuseum
- Cornell Museum handbook on him