Drawing inspiration from a city

Beijing, Beijing, a popular song by singer-songwriter Wang Feng occupies a special place in the hearts of the capital's residents, especially in the hearts of those who have come from elsewhere to make their dreams come true, who are collectively known in Chinese as beipiao.

"Here we laugh, here we cry, …Here we pray, here we feel lost, here we chase."

The lyrics summarize the complicated feelings of a person enmeshed in metropolitan prosperity and opportunity, as well as in the sacrifices necessary to survive and settle in the big city.

Over 100 years ago, a little-known painter from rural Hunan province experienced the same progression — the mix of hope, self-doubt and anxiety — for some time after relocating to Beijing.

At the age of 55, Qi Baishi (1864-1957) made his third trip to the capital. His previous trips had already exposed him to the dynamism of its cultural landscape and this time well-prepared, he arrived ready to confront the challenges he would face.

Qi sought to carve out a niche for himself in the art community in this highly competitive city with its long history and rich culture.

In the nearly four decades until his death, he developed an intimate relationship with Beijing and as he gradually rose in artistic prominence and success, he took as much pride in the capital as it did in him.