Immortal Flying on a Crane

明朝仇紏繪仙人乘扌扇梞港箋紙痓綎

During the 1500s, colorful paintings in the fan format were immensely popular among the wealthy and sophisticated population of Suzhou, Jiangsu province. These fans, when folded up, could be carried in the long, loose sleeves of gowns worn by both men and women, and casually displayed at a desired moment. Due to this casual use, such fans were prone to damage and loss; yet many have survived, suggesting a tremendous number must have been created.

Works by the professional artist Qiu Ying were among the most sought after decorative paintings of the time, and ownership of one of his fans was a symbol of wealth and sophistication. In response to this heavy demand, Qiu's workshop produced fans in great numbers. Works in the same style, often with a forged Qiu Ying signature or seal, have continued to be produced to this day. Befitting their purpose, "Qiu Ying" fan paintings such as Immortal Flying a Crane are brightly colored and often painted on gold-covered paper. Many of them portray popular themes such as images of Taoist divinities, symbols of good fortune, figures from popular literature, and scholars in various settings.

Artist's biography:
Qiu Ying came from Taicang, Jiangsu province (near modern Shanghai) but lived most of his life in Suzhou. His family was not wealthy and he had little formal education, but he had great skill as a painter. As a young man he was discovered in Suzhou by members of the educated elite, some of whom served as his teachers, others as his patrons. Contact with the educated elite allowed Qiu access to ancient paintings in their collections. He found a strong market for paintings done in a meticulous, colorful, and often narrative style loosely based on works of the Song dynasty court (960–1279) that he saw there. Although he was only active for around thirty years, his studio continued to produce works in his style.