Hua Yan (华嵒 1582-1756) was a painter in the Qing dynasty. Born into a humble family in Shanghang, Fujian Province, he grew up surrounded by local artists and painters. In his twenties, he left his hometown and journeyed to Hangzhou, where he formed friendships with literati and honed his painting techniques. He later traveled to Beijing briefly but soon returned, primarily residing between Hangzhou and Yangzhou, where he earned a living by selling his paintings.

Despite his modest beginnings, through tireless study and sheer dedication, he achieved proficiency in all Three Perfections (Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting), which are regarded as the prerogative of the literati. Throughout his life marked by financial hardship, Hua Yan aspired to 'brush away the dust of the world using the tip of my painting brush,' seeking to capture the enchating beauty of nature in his works.