Zheng Banqiao (1693–1765): Master of Personal Expression

Zheng Xie (Banqiao), is a leading literati of the Qing Dynasty and one of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou". He revolutionized Chinese art through his innovative brushwork in both painting and calligraphy. His work not only embodies technical mastery, but also profound philosophical depth in his thinking and poetry. He pioneered personal expression in the Qing era, influencing later artists to prioritize creativity over convention.

The iconic subjects of Zheng Banqiao’s painting include bamboo, orchids and rocks as shown in the following example.

Bamboo, Orchids and Rock with Poem, By Zheng Xie, Qin Dynasty

Bamboo symbolizes resilience and integrity, reflecting Confucian ideals. His simplified brushwork captures bamboo’s flexibility and strength, often metaphorically representing the common people’s endurance. Orchids represent purity and humility, rendered with delicate, expressive strokes. Rocks embody permanence and unyielding spirit, contrasting with the fluidity of plants. 

The second undeniable feature of Zheng Banqiao’s art is his unmistakably unique calligraphy which is often described as “awkward”. Known as the Six-and-a-Half Script (六分半书) blending six and half traditional Chinese calligraphy styles. Its "awkward" yet intentional structure challenged orthodox aesthetics -- using his own words:  "learning from the past without being bound by it."

A good example of his calligraphy is his much loved Nan De Hu Tu (难得糊涂).

Nan De Hu Tu (难得糊涂), by Zheng Xie, Qing Dynasty

The work is not only loved because of is calligraphy, but also the philosophy reflected in its content. Broadly speaking: it is difficult for a highly intelligent person to be truly humble. But if one can achieve confident humility, one can achieve peace and happiness in life.

Another much loved poem came from his Bamboo and Rock painting, as shown below:

Bamboo, Rock and Poem, by Zheng Xie, Qing Dynasty

In this example, Zheng Banqiao combined poetry, calligraphy, and painting into unified works. The poem (咬定青山不放松，立根原在破岩中。千磨万击还坚劲，任尔东西南北风), translated into English reads as follows (courtesy of DeepSeek):

Clenched to green cliffs, never yielding ground,

Roots grip deep in cracked rocks, firmly bound.

Though battered by myriad trials, steadfast I stand,

Defying winds from east, west, south - every hand.

Resilience is a common character of Chinese literati.

Zheng’s art transcends aesthetics, offering a window into Qing-era intellectual and social currents, cementing his status as a master of personal expression.