Zheng Xie

In this Chinese name, the family name is Zheng.

Zheng Xie
Depiction of Zheng Xie by Ye Yanlan
Born	November 22, 1693 Xinghua, Jiangsu, Qing China
Died	January 22, 1766 Xinghua, Jiangsu, Qing China
Occupation(s)	Magistrate, painter, calligrapher
Father	Zheng Li'an (鄭立庵)

Zheng Xie (Chinese: 鄭燮; pinyin: Zhèng Xiè), courtesy name Kerou (克柔), art name Banqiao (板橋) or Banqiao Daoren (板橋道人), commonly known as Zheng Banqiao (鄭板橋), was a Chinese official, painter and calligrapher of the Qing dynasty. He began life in poverty, but rose in the imperial examination system to become a magistrate in Shandong. However, after 12 years, he became critical of the life of an official as he refused to ingratiate himself with senior officials. When he was reportedly criticized for building a shelter for the poor, he resigned. After that, he expressed himself in art and became one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. He was noted for his drawing of orchids, bamboo, and stones. In 1748 he briefly resumed an official career as "official calligrapher and painter" for the Qianlong Emperor.

Zheng was also a calligrapher who created a new calligraphy style influenced by his orchid drawings. Added to this, he had an interest in literature and poetry. He preferred to write about ordinary people in a natural style.

Calligraphical work of Zheng Xie, now collected in Shandong Museum

Orchids, Bamboo and Rocks, hand scroll by Zheng Xie, 1762, Shanghai Museum

Herbaceous peony viewing pavilion with Zheng Xie calligraphed horizontal board in Thin West Lake of Yangzhou

References

• Hummel, Arthur W. Sr., ed. (1943). "Chêng Hsieh" . Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period. United States Government Printing Office.

External links

• Zheng Xie and his Painting Gallery at China Online Museum
• China Culture on Zheng Xie
• Zheng Xie's works at China Page
• Zhang Xie in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York
• Translation of “Letter to younger brother Zhèng Mò” by Zhèng Bǎnqiáo Archived 2019-07-24 at the Wayback Machine