Jiang Tingxi, who was born in Zhangshu, Jiangsu province, was the son and grandson of two distinguished court scholar-officials. He himself became a painter in the Qing imperial court, where he excelled in the depicition of plants and flowers. Although he failed the metropolitan exam, the emperor allowed him to sit for the palace test, which resulted in his obtaining the jinshi degree in 1703. In addition to his artistic duties, Jiang served as editor of several imperially commissioned histories and encyclopedias. He also acted as chief examiner for a number of civil examinations.

Also a native of Jiangsu and the son of the painter Zou Dian, Zou Yigui served the Qing dynasty as an official in the Ministry of Rites. Like Jiang Tingxi he was noted for his detailed and colorful paintings of flowers. Eventually Zou left the court and settled in Nanjing, where he became known as one of the city's Eight Masters.