Mei Lanfang, born in Taizhou, Jiangsu, was one of the most celebrated masters of Peking Opera. Coming from a family of traditional performers, he became renowned for his portrayal of dan (female) roles, particularly qingyi and huadan, and established the influential “Mei School” of performance. Beyond the stage, Mei was also skilled in calligraphy and painting, especially of plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo. His works reflect a literati aesthetic and his close exchanges with artists such as Qi Baishi and Zhang Daqian.