Zheng Xie

Zheng Xie was a Chinese painter and calligrapher of the Qing dynasty, known for his free-flowing depictions of bamboo and orchids. He was born in Xinghua, Jiangsu province, in a poor family. He studied hard and passed the imperial examinations, becoming a magistrate in Shandong province. He was honest and upright, but also outspoken and critical of the corruption and extravagance of the officials. He resigned from his post after being accused of building a shelter for the poor without permission. He then devoted himself to art and literature, and became one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, a group of artists who rejected the orthodox and conventional styles of painting. He developed a distinctive style of calligraphy influenced by his orchid drawings, and wrote poems and essays about the lives of ordinary people. He was also a friend and mentor of many other artists and scholars, such as Jin Nong, Luo Pin, and Li Shan. He died in Yangzhou in 1765, at the age of 73.