A story of Baotou Ji clan sheepskin painting

The sheepskin paintings of Baotou’s Ji clan received national attention at this year’s China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), which opened May 28.

The history of painting on sheepskin can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It was later inherited and developed by the Ji clan during the reign of the Tongzhi Emperor (1861-1875).

The innovative sheepskin paper for calligraphy and painting developed by the Ji family was in 2017 the first leather calligraphy and painting paper made available anywhere in the world.

Ji painting uses high-quality sheepskin and paints made from natural minerals to depict people, flowers, birds and an endless variety of patterns. Influenced by the grasslands and its people’s nomadic culture, the uniquely Inner Mongolian painting method is well known for giving detailed depictions of ancient emperors, costumes and customs.

The Ji clan’s style of sheepskin painting was listed as part of the cultural heritage of Inner Mongolia autonomous region in 2011.

Ji Ying, a member of the Ji family, paints traditional Mongolian costumes on a piece of sheepskin. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]

Special paints used in sheepskin painting [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]