Presenting Lichee Fruit on a Carved Ice Platter, in the style of Tang Yin
Gai Qi
Description
Attributed to Gai Qi 改琦
China, 1774–1829
Presenting Lychee Fruit on a Carved Ice Platter
Qing dynasty (1644–1912)
ca. 1900
Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art
Collection Fund, 1982/2.51
Although these two meiren paintings have similar compositions and
subject matter, there are notable differences. In Lady in Her Study
with Attendants (left), the artist has paid close attention to rendering
intricate details, such as hair ornaments and the fabric of the robes;
these details are simplified in Presenting Lychee Fruit on a Carved Ice
Platter. And, while the repeated application of ink washes in Lady in
Her Study suggests full, thick hair, a single layer of ink wash is used to
render the hair on the figure in the Presenting Lychee Fruit. And while
the bands of the black caps worn by the maids in Lady in Her Study
are carefully treated with light and dark ink tones, the headdresses
worn by the maids in Presenting Lychee Fruit are not. These differences
suggest Presenting Lychee Fruit is likely a later copy of Gai Qi’s work.
Can you spot any other differences between these two paintings?
Displayed to the right of Lady in Her Study with Attendants (1973/1.794)
(Chinese Gallery Rotation, Summer 2025)
Subject Matter:
The artist Gai Qi was from a family of Muslim origin that lived in southeastern China, near the port city of Shanghai. A professional painter living entirely on his art, he is best known for delicately rendered images of beautiful women. This garden scene of two young maids serving their mistress a platter of lichee fruit refers to the legendary incident in which when lichees were presented to Yang Guifei (719-756), the favorite consort of the Minghuang Emperor (r. 712–756) during the Tang dynasty. Lichees grow only in southern China, and the fruit was rushed north on horseback each summer to please the extravagant taste of Yang Guifei and her court ladies. One year when celebrating Yang’s birthday, the Emperor named his musical composition The Fragrance of Lichee. After Yang was killed in a riot, the annual arrival of the fruit reminded the emperor of his lost love and caused him great sorrow. This bittersweet motif is often found in Chinese literature and painting.
Physical Description:
Vertically long image. Ink on silk. Multiple figures gathered near a table. Vegetation in the lower left.
Usage Rights:
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