Fang Weiyi (1585-1668), whose courtesy name was Weiyi, was a native of Tongcheng. The figures created by women painters were esp. varied. The subject matters include beautiful ladies, religious figures and men in social life. The Buddhist paintings expounding the doctrines of helping the needy and relieving the distressed account for a considerable proportion. Fallen into the bitter abyss of the mortal world, women naturally yearned for relief to their pain. Due to various frustrations in her life, Fang, for example, devoutly painted benevolent Avalokitesvara and Arhat so as to have spiritual sustenance.