Bodhi Leaves and Insects

The bodhi leaf and insects theme was one of Qi Baishi’s original inventions, inspired by bodhi leaves he encountered in Guangdong and Guangxi. The pale ochre leaf, delicately veined, contrasts with the meticulously rendered insects and bold freehand branches, creating a balance between refinement and spontaneity. Painted in 1941 during his reclusive years in occupied Beiping, the work reflects the increasingly concise and mature style of the eighty-one-year-old master. A rare subject in his oeuvre, it showcases his remarkable ability to combine precise observation with expressive brushwork, exemplifying the artistic mastery of his late period.