Qigong (artist)

For the traditional Chinese meditative practice, see Qigong.

Qigong (July 26, 1912 — June 30, 2005) (, Styled Yuanbai , alternatively Qi Gong) was a renowned Manchu Chinese calligrapher, artist, painter, connoisseur and sinologist. He was an advisor for the September 3 Society, one of China's recognized political parties.

Qigong was born into a Manchu family in Beijing in 1912. Both his great-grandfather and grandfather were Jinshi, the highest Chinese academic title roughly equivalent to a doctoral. He was a descendant of the Yongzheng Emperor through his son Hongzhou. Upon coming to prominence, he declined to use both the Manchu Aisin Gioro or sinicized Jin surname, and went by the legal surname of "Qi" to establish a name for himself removed from that of the Imperial family.

Name and Ancestry

Qi belongs to the Aisin Gioro clan, the Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty in China. The character of Qi () used in Qigong's name was a generation name of the ruling Aisin-Gioro clan as dictated by the Qing Imperial Family during the time of the Xianfeng Emperor. It is possible from this code to discern that Qigong was the 10th Generation descendant of the Yongzheng Emperor, his direct ancestor. Qigong, however, has never used the regal family name to sign any of his calligraphy, paintings, letters, or articles. By refusing the noble surname, Qi wanted to show his resolutions to make a living by himself instead of depending on his noble ancestors. He once responded,...
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