Hu Mei

• Hu Mei, courtesy name Feitao, pen name Wanshan, and also known as Qiuxue, was from Pinghu, Zhejiang. He was a scholar (Zhusheng) and began learning to paint early, despite initial attempts by his teacher to deter him. His maternal grandfather, the prominent artist Xiang Shi, was renowned for his wealth in the fields of both calligraphy and painting, and Hu Mei was influenced by Xiang's style, often studying and imitating his works. Hu Mei was especially known for his paintings of insects, fish, flowers, and birds, which were praised for their ethereal quality and referred to as "immortal brushwork." He was known for his integrity and refused many offers from wealthy patrons who sought to buy his paintings with gold and silk. Shen Quan was one of his inner disciples.