Li Keran

Li Keran

Li Keran was a child prodigy beginning his artistic career at age 13. He studied at Shanghai Art College studying both tradition Chinese painting and Western art. He learned from Kang Youwei who stressed artistic foundation should be built upon Song academic painting and the realistic tradition of Western painting. He also studied under Andre Claoudit and then developed his abstract and structural style. His experimentation with wash technique began in 1934. Li joined the faculty of the Beijing National Art College in 1946 and came under the tutelage of Qi Baishi and Huang Binhong. His relationship with Qi became very close and Qi acclaimed him to be the most important painter in the post Qianlong-Jiaqing period. His legacy is not that of a traditionalist nor reformer but as a pioneer in blending techniques into a distinctive “modern” Chinese style. He attracted numerous students who established the “Li School” in the 1980′s. Li died in 1989.

Reference note courtesy of New Orleans Auction Gallery. December 2011.