In the artwork, the lady can be seen playing a traditional Chinese vertical flute while sitting on a stool. She is depicted with slender fingers and a slim figure. Elegantly dressed, she wears a loose updo with minimal hair ornaments. Besides a skirt that has crane and floral patterns, her garments are rather plain and understated. The background is left primarily blank, bringing the audience’s focus to the flute-playing lady as the main subject of the painting.
The artist, Gai Qi, was a Chinese painter and poet of the Qing Dynasty, and was active in Shanghai. He is known for his depiction of plants and portraits of beauties. Gai is also well known for his illustrations for popular literature such as the Dream of the Red Chamber, a classic Chinese novel that has a large female cast. The painting Lady Playing a Flute is an exemplar of Gai’s art style in depicting women, with a minimal palette and controlled brushwork used for a precise portrayal, employing controlled and precise outlines for the details of the work. In addition, the dainty facial features and the slim figure of the main subject in this artwork are all characteristics of Gai Qi’s lady paintings.
Gifted by Bei Shan Tang, this artwork is currently located in The Chinese University of Hong Kong Art Museum.
Gai Qi was a Chinese painter specialising in beautiful and dainty women, plants and flowers. In this particular painting, the demure lady is sitting cross legged on a peacock coloured stool. She is dressed elegantly and is seen playing a flute. The usage of negative space and muted colours add to the melancholy and sophistication. The woman is playing the flute with undivided attention. This adds to the sense of calmness and peace.
Qi's women become the objects of appreciation as they are painted with frail and dainty features. He portrays them in a refined manner with controlled brush strokes and muted palate.
