Jiang Tingxi

Who was Jiang Tingxi?

Jiang Tingxi, courtesy name Yangsun, was a Chinese painter, and an editor of the encyclopedia Gujin Tushu Jicheng.

Jiang was born in Changshu, Jiangsu. Besides the name Yangsun, he was also known by the courtesy name Youjun, as well as the pseudonyms Nansha, Qingtong Jushi, Qiujun, and XiGu.

The 5020-volume state-sponsored encyclopedia Gǔjīn Túshū Jíchéng was published in 1726 and had been compiled by Chen Menglei and Jiang Tingxi during the reigns of Qing emperors Kangxi and Yongzheng.

As an official painter and grand secretary to the imperial court, Jiang Tingxi used a wide variety of artistic styles, and focused particularly on paintings of birds and flowers. He was also proficient in calligraphy.

Although better known for his Gujin Tushu Jicheng, Jiang also contributed—along with other scholars—in the compilation of the "Daqing Yitongzhi". This geographical gazetteer was provided with a preface in 1744, revised in 1764, and reprinted in 1849.