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LOT 1387PREVIOUSLY IN THE COLLECTION OF SAKAKURA YOSHIAKIIn Landscape of Lijiang, Li Keran inscribes of the technique in his composition to “take the large to see the small.” He reduces the distance, perspective and size of the landscape, while deliberately expanding the parameters of the landscape and choosing the most beautiful parts of the mountains and scenery presented from various vantages, including a bird’s eye view and shifting perspectives, embodying the full beauty of the river scenery of the Li River. He says, “One cannot actually see this beautiful scene when alongside the Li River.”The painting displays the the bold, expressive brushwork of the Jinshi School, as well as Huang Binhong’s “method of ink accumulation” where Li Keran paints layer after layer to form the mountain peaks. These techniques display the extremely rich spatial composition that is evident in the scenery of the Li River. Stimulated by the effect of light in Western paintings, Li Keran utilizes this technique with the practice of “left blank” in Chinese painting to build up mountains and houses with richly nuanced three-dimensionality. With many layers for the mountains, some details of the painting reveal brushstrokes and textures that bear a resemblance to oil painting. The various gradations of the three major tones of black, blue and white reflect each other to enhance the depth and distance in the magnificent landscape, while yellow boats make the scene much more vivid and brilliant.In Landscape of Lijiang, Li Keran successfully marries painting with landscapes and traditional with modern, resulting in a style that is distinctly his own.
LI KERAN (1907-1989)
Landscape of Lijiang
Details
LI KERAN (1907-1989)
Landscape of Lijiang
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
86 x 53 cm. (33 7/8 x 20 7/8 in.)
Entitled, inscribed and signed, with five seals of the artist
Dated three days before Chinese New Year, guihai year, 1984
Dedicated to Sakakura Yoshiaki (1921-2014)
Note:
Sakakura Yoshiaki (1921-2014) was the president of the Seibu and Mitsukoshi Department Stores. He helped organise an exhibition of Li Keran’s paintings at the Seibu Department Store.
Landscape of Lijiang
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
86 x 53 cm. (33 7/8 x 20 7/8 in.)
Entitled, inscribed and signed, with five seals of the artist
Dated three days before Chinese New Year, guihai year, 1984
Dedicated to Sakakura Yoshiaki (1921-2014)
Note:
Sakakura Yoshiaki (1921-2014) was the president of the Seibu and Mitsukoshi Department Stores. He helped organise an exhibition of Li Keran’s paintings at the Seibu Department Store.
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