Bidspirit auction | A Set of Four Scrolls

A Set of Four Scrolls of Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum, by Zheng Banqiao - Zheng Banqiao (1693–1765), originally named Zheng Xie, with the courtesy name Kerou and the art name Banqiao, was a native of Xinghua, Jiangsu. He was a renowned painter, calligrapher, and writer of the Qing Dynasty, as well as a central figure among the ”Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou.” His artistic style was highly distinctive. In painting, he excelled particularly in orchids, bamboo, and rocks, with ink bamboo being his most refined subject. He advocated that ”the idea must precede the brush, and the meaning should linger after the painting is completed.” His brushwork was free yet vigorous—his bamboo stalks upright and jointed, the leaves finely spaced—capturing not only the form of bamboo but also embodying the spirit of a noble scholar and an aloof character. In calligraphy, he blended clerical script with running and regular scripts, creating his own unique style known as ”Six-and-a-Half Part Script.” His strokes varied in length and density, combining strength and softness, breaking away from traditional conventions and forming a highly personal manner.