Yan Yi

• Yan Yi was a professional painter active in Yangzhou during the Shunzhi and Kangxi periods of the Qing dynasty. His courtesy name was Qinglai, and he was a native of Yangzhou, Jiangsu. He studied under Li Yin, and his landscape and figure painting followed the traditions of the Northern Song. He especially excelled in the Mi-family landscape style and was also skilled in ruled-line (architectural) painting. His works are noted for their precise and meticulous technique, combining light ink washes with fine dotting to create a distinctive decorative style. This “Yangzhou taste” was highly appreciated by the salt merchant class.