Page 244 - Christie's Fine Chinese Paintings Hong Kong Dec. 1 2015

LOT 1387
PREVIOUSLY IN THE COLLECTION OF SAKAKURA YOSHIAKI

In 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.

1387

LI KERAN (1907-1989)

Landscape of Lijiang

Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
86 x 53 cm. (33 ‰ x 20 ‰ 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.

HK$6,000,000-8,000,000 US$780,000-1,000,000

1921-2014
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