Finger Painting 1684

This landscape was painted with ink and color on paper by Gao Qipei, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. But the truly remarkable thing here is not the materials, but the method. Qipei, a court official during the Qing Dynasty, was celebrated for his “finger painting.” Instead of a brush, he applied ink and pigment directly to the paper with his fingernails, fingertips, and palms. Look closely and you can see the subtle modulations of tone, the way the ink pools and feathers out. This was not just a stunt. Finger painting was considered a highly individual, expressive technique, contrasting with the more disciplined brushwork expected of trained calligraphers. In a way, it democratized the painting process by dispensing the formal, specialized techniques that reinforce class distinctions between trained professionals and amateurs. In doing so, Qipei invited new possibilities for creative exploration. He fully integrated his body with the making of art, a unique painterly approach that blurred the lines between self-expression and skilled tradition.