Ren Yi
A Life Bridging Tradition and the Modern Market Ren Yi, born Ren Run in 1840 in Hangwu Mountain, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang province, was a pivotal figure in late Qing dynasty painting. He is more commonly known by his courtesy name, Bonian, a testament to the importance of artistic identity within Chinese culture. His life unfolded during a period of immense social and economic upheaval, as China grappled with internal strife and…
The Lifeline
Scroll through Ren Yi's working life — artwork by artwork, chapter by chapter — from the earliest dated work to the last. Each thumbnail is pinned at its exact year on the gold axis.
Chapters — Career Periods
The ribbon is divided into shaded bands, one per career chapter. Each chapter groups Ren Yi's works by their historical period — early training, mature practice, final years.
Thumbnails — Dated Works
Every thumbnail is pinned at its precise creation year. A thin gold thread drops from the image to its exact point on the axis. Larger frames mark the artist's masterpieces by rank.
Colour Band — Movement Drift
The gradient bar beneath the axis shifts colour as the dominant art movement changes over time — from the warm golds of the early period through the deeper tones of maturity. It fills progressively as you scroll.