Ink and watercolor on paper sketchbook. 10-page painting of mountainous landscape. Signed and attr. Li Keran (Chinese, 1907-1989) and inscribed with 15 artist seals. 39 x 30 cm. Li Keran was a Chinese painter known for his depictions of landscapes using both traditional and experimental techniques. “Delve into tradition with the utmost dedication and then break away from it with the utmost courage,†he once proclaimed. Born Li Yongshun on March 26, 1907 in Xuzhou, China, he attended classes in which both traditional Chinese painting and Western painting were taught, going on to study under Andre Claudot at the Hangzhou National Art College. In 1946, Li was asked to join the faculty of the Beijing National Art College, where his colleagues included the revered artists Qi Baishi and Huang Binhong. Li went on to publish the influential essay On the Reform of Chinese Painting in the first issue of Art (Meishu), the magazine of the Chinese Artists’ Association. In the essay, he advocated for artists to immerse themselves in the lives of ordinary people. Though he experienced a significant amount of criticism during the Cultural Revolution, Li continued to create landscapes using his hybrid style merging East and West. The artist died on December 5, 1989 in Beijing, China. Today, his works are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in Canada, and the National Museum of China in Beijing, among others.

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.