Printmaking
Playing with the Ox
by Li Keran · shuzhou,jiangshu$1,940
In stock
MaterialInk on xuan paper, mounted on silkscroll
Dimensions50 x 50 cm
Year1980
EditionUnique work
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Artist-estate Certificate of Authenticity, hand-numbered in pencil at the point of pulling.
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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
shuzhou,jiangshu
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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