Leng Mei

CHINA, Shandong, Qingdao; Qing dynasty

Also known as Jichen or Jinmen Waishi, Leng Mei was a court painter from Jiaoxian (present day Jiaozhou, Qingdao). He originally studied under the imperial court painter, Jiao Bingzhen, and during the rule of Emperor Kangxi (reigned 1661–1722) of the Qing dynasty, he secured his own post as a court painter. Keen on creating landscapes, architectural drawings, and portraits, particularly that of ladies, he employed Western-style techniques, in which he blended meticulous details with conceptual painting. His brushstrokes were harmonious and colors were elegant, as he actively advocated the fusion of Chinese and Western styles.
Leng was commissioned to paint the Southern Inspection Tour of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty. In addition, he assisted Jiao Bingzhen in his painting of Farming and Weaving, and was involved in creating the Longevity Festival scroll in 1717. He also painted the White Elephant and Human Figures, which is kept at Xi’an Institute of Cultural Heritage Conservation and Archaeology in Shaanxi
As a Buddhist artist, Leng created depictions of Arhats and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva that were in the styles of Wu Daozi and Cao Zhongda. He also completed a collection of 20 paintings in which he copied Li Gonglun’s Eighteen Arhats.
Several of Leng’s renowned works are now kept at various museums around the world, including the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan; the Shandong Provincial Museum in Jinan; the British Museum in London, United Kingdom; and the Palace Museum in Beijing.