Is this artwork authentic?

Yes. Every artwork sold by Kiln & Ink comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Li Keran. We guarantee the authenticity of every piece we sell, with a full refund if any claim is upheld within 12 months of purchase.

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We accept returns within 14 days of delivery for items in original, undamaged condition with all original packaging and certificates included. Auction purchases and custom commissions are non-returnable.

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Printmaking

Playing with the Ox

Name: Playing with the Ox
Brand: Li Keran
SKU: li-keran-playing-with-the-ox
Price: 699 USD
Availability: InStock

by Li Keran · Xuzhou, Jiangsu

$699

$899

In stock

MaterialInk on xuan paper, mounted on silkscroll

Dimensions50 x 50 cm

Year1980

EditionUnique work

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Authenticity Guaranteed

Artist-estate Certificate of Authenticity, hand-numbered in pencil at the point of pulling.

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Free written provenance confirmation on request — for resale, insurance, donation, or independent appraisal, in perpetuity.

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Free over $500. Acid-free archival tissue, rigid tube, fully insured.

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The Story

Created in Li Keran’s late career, Playing with the Ox is a signature work from his iconic ox-herding series, embodying his lifelong "learning from the ox" philosophy and deep affection for rural life. Li Keran is one of the most influential masters of 20th-century Chinese ink painting, famous for his innovative landscape style and deep love for rural themes.He dedicated his life to art, creating iconic works like“ By the Jialing River” that blend traditional techniques with modern artistic expressions. Li Keran’s Playing with the Ox showcases his masterful freehand brushwork: bold, expressive ink washes define the buffalo’s robust form, while delicate, lively lines capture the herdboy’s playful spirit.Its standout highlight is the vivid contrast between the dynamic, lifelike figures and the minimalist, airy composition, perfectly embodying the essence of traditional Chinese ink painting. This piece is from a private collection in Hong Kong and comes with a collection certificate stamped by a Hong Kong auction house.

Craft & Process

This iconic work showcases Li Keran’s consummate command of traditional Chinese painting craft, from the dynamic, spontaneous brushwork to the balanced, negative-space composition that defines the essence of xieyi (freehand) style.It upholds the core of traditional Chinese aesthetics—valuing spirit over form, and emotion over detail—while infusing the pastoral scene with the artist’s reverence for humility and the enduring vitality of ordinary life.

About the Artist

Li Keran

Xuzhou, Jiangsu

Li Keran (1907–1989) was a great modern Chinese landscape painter. He reformed traditional landscape painting and created a bold, distinctive new style.

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