Wang Gai

Wang Gai (1645–1710), originally named Gai and styled Dongguo and Anjie, was a native of Xiushui in Zhejiang (present-day Jiaxing) who lived for a long time in Jinling. A Qing dynasty painter and seal carver, he studied landscape painting under Gong Xian and used rich, heavy ink. He never held office and made a living by selling paintings. In 1679, at Shen Xinyou's request, he compiled and illustrated the first collection of the Jieziyuan Huazhuan (Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting) based on Li Liufang's teaching drafts; later, with his elder brother Wang Shi and younger brother Wang Nie, he compiled the second and third collections. The work systematically organizes methods and models for landscapes, orchids, bamboo, plum blossoms and chrysanthemums, and became a widely circulated primer for painting. Five related works are held in the collection, commonly classified under art and culture. Beyond the manual, public information about his life is limited.