Yu Ji

Yu Ji was a Chinese painter, calligrapher, and poet active during the Qing dynasty. He was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and was a member of the Hanlin Academy. He was known for painting female figures, which earned him the nickname Yu Meiren or "Yu, the Painter of Beauties" (余美人). He painted in a realistic and delicate style, using fine brushwork and bright colors. He also painted Buddhist images, plum with bamboo, flowers, and scenery paintings. He was influenced by the Ming dynasty painter Chen Hongshou and the Qing dynasty painter Jin Nong. He was also an editor; he contributed to the Siku Quanshu and was the collator of the first printed edition of Liaozhai zhiyi or Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio published in 1766. He was a prolific poet and wrote more than 10,000 poems in his lifetime. He died at the age of 84 and was buried in Hangzhou. He was regarded as one of the most influential painters of his time and his works are highly valued by collectors and museums.