Qiu Ying (仇英)

Qiu Ying (仇英)
Qiu Ying (仇英) (1494-1552), Chinese, Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), one of the "Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty," was a painter renowned for his meticulous brushwork and vibrant blue-green landscapes. Born into a humble family in Taicang, he trained initially as a lacquer artisan before studying under Zhou Chen. His style synthesized Tang-Song traditions with Ming courtly precision, blending sumptuous mineral pigments (zhongcai) and poetic lyricism.
Masterpieces like Spring Morning in the Han Palace (Han Gong Chun Xiao Tu) exemplify his virtuosity in narrative detail, depicting over 100 figures and architectural intricacies within a handscroll format. A Celestial Realm in the Peach Blossom Spring (Taoyuan Xianjing Tu) merges layered mountain vistas with ethereal atmospheres, redefining blue-green landscape conventions. Though few authenticated works survive—such as Red Cliff Scroll (Chibi Tu) and Sword Gate Pass (Jian Ge Tu)—his technical brilliance in imitating ancient masters and pioneering genre scenes left an indelible mark on Suzhou School painters and later professional artists.
  • Firing Elixirs at Jade Grotto

    Firing Elixirs at Jade Grotto

    Qiu Ying (仇英) (Chinese, 1494-1552)

    This scroll, Firing Elixirs at Jade Grotto, painted by Qiu Ying from the Ming Dynasty. It shows a group of Daoist hermits crossing the sea to gather on a spring mountain island. They’re probably there to get the elixir that makes you live forever. In front of a cave among peach blossoms and green pines, […]

  • Garden for Solitary Enjoyment, the spiritual home of scholars

    Garden for Solitary Enjoyment, the spiritual home of scholars

    Qiu Ying (仇英) (Chinese, 1494-1552)

    Garden of Solitary Enjoyment refers to a site built in 1073 by the statesman Sima Guang (1019–1086) after he had retired to Luoyang, Henan province. Every spring, visitors would flock to his garden.

  • Take you to see a different Along the River During the Qingming Festival.QiuYing

    Take you to see a different Along the River During the Qingming Festival.QiuYing

    Qiu Ying (仇英) (Chinese, 1494-1552)

    This world-famous masterpiece of social customs painting of the Northern Song Dynasty has spawned countless copies, imitations, different versions and re-creations. Among them, Ming Dynasty’s Qiu Ying’s “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” is the most famous.

  • Han Palace Spring Dawn . Qiu Ying . Ming Dynasty . Painting

    Han Palace Spring Dawn . Qiu Ying . Ming Dynasty . Painting

    Qiu Ying (仇英) (Chinese, 1494-1552)

    This scroll, “Han Palace Spring Dawn,” was painted by the Ming Dynasty artist Qiu Ying and is regarded as one of China’s top ten surviving masterpieces.