Yu Zhi (Chinese: 余穉, fl. 18th century), courtesy name Nanzhou (南洲),[1] was a Chinese court painter in the Qing dynasty. A native of Changshu[1] and the younger son of Yu Xun (余珣),[2] he and his brother Yu Sheng were in the residence of the politician Haiwang for two decades, and studied with the court painter Jiang Tingxi.[3] In 1737, as a result of Haiwang and Jiang's recommendations,[3] the Yu brothers were summoned to the Qianlong Emperor's court along with Zhou Kun.[4] In 1741, Yu Zhi was granted the second rank by the Qianlong Emperor which entitled him to nine taels of silver per month; Yu Sheng was granted the top rank with a monthly income of eleven taels.[3]
Yu Zhi was famous for his paintings of flowers, birds, insects, and fish.[2]