Sailing on River Li

Driven by the ambition of creating an enduring legacy of his motherland, Li Keran journeyed across vast regions of China during the 1950s. He frequently visited Guilin, particularly finding profound inspiration in River Li, which became a cherished source of his artistic expression. Painted in 1982, Sailing on River Li embodies the mature innovation of Li Keran’s idiosyncratic landscape style. Transforming layered ink into mountains while reflection emerged with a light wash, Li created depths and solid forms by the light azurite colours and the negative space. The work balances grandeur with delicacy, making it a fine example of Li Keran’s exploration of the theme.