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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ASIAN COLLECTION (LOTS 1118-1123)
LI KUCHAN (1899-1983)
Studies of Lotuses
Details
LI KUCHAN (1899-1983)
Studies of Lotuses
Seven scrolls, one mounted and framed and six unmounted, ink on paper
1. 71.5 x 47.5 cm. (28 1/8 x 18 ¾ in.)
2. 27.5 x 38 cm. (10 7/8 x 15 in.)
3. 69.5 x 46 cm. (27 3/8 x 18 ½ in.)
4. 78 x 34.3 cm. (30 ¾ x 13 ½ in.)
5. 70 x 44.5 cm. (27 ½ x 17 ½ in.)
6. 66 x 52 cm. (26 x 20 ½ in.)
7. 29.5 x 31 cm. (11 5/8 x 12 ¼ in.)
(7)One scroll inscribed by the artist, with two seals
One scroll inscribed
Studies of Lotuses
Seven scrolls, one mounted and framed and six unmounted, ink on paper
1. 71.5 x 47.5 cm. (28 1/8 x 18 ¾ in.)
2. 27.5 x 38 cm. (10 7/8 x 15 in.)
3. 69.5 x 46 cm. (27 3/8 x 18 ½ in.)
4. 78 x 34.3 cm. (30 ¾ x 13 ½ in.)
5. 70 x 44.5 cm. (27 ½ x 17 ½ in.)
6. 66 x 52 cm. (26 x 20 ½ in.)
7. 29.5 x 31 cm. (11 5/8 x 12 ¼ in.)
(7)One scroll inscribed by the artist, with two seals
One scroll inscribed
Further details
The famous Indian painter Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, who illuminated the original Constitution of India and frescoed Martyr-Memorial Concert Hall, lived in different parts of China between 1957-59 as a scholar but also as India’s cultural emissary. The objective was to forge a strong cross-cultural bridge between two great civilisations by way of fine arts. While promoting Indian art in China, he gained expertise in fine Chinese painting and lacquer-work from great contemporary masters at first hand, such as Qi Baishi (1864-1957) and his contemporaries and followers, including Chen Banding (1877-1970), Wu Zuoren (1908-1997), Luo Ming (1912-1998), and Li Keran (1907-1989), whose artworks from this collection we sold in 2017 Autumn (Lots 1295-1299).
In 1957, Qi Baishi introduced him to Li Kuchan, with whom Rammanohar shared studio in Beijing for months. In that period, he demonstrated and tutored the Indian elements of painting to the students of Central Academy of Fine Arts and in turn, Rammanohar witnessed the nuanced skills of the Xieyi-way of depicting various aspects of forms and movements of birds and flowers, which was Li Kuchan’s forte.
This collection of Li Kuchan’s paintings, demonstrations, studies and rough-works were divided by subject matter into five parts: Birds, Narcissus & Flowers, Loquats, Lotuses, and Plum Blossoms. In addition, a Pink Lotus (Lot 1118) finished by Rammanohar (pinned to the wall behind Rammanohar in the accompanying photo) is also present, which was exhibited in Rammanohar’s comprehensive shows in 1958 in different institutes of China, such as Central Academy of Fine Arts, National Central University Institute of Fine Arts, Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, Wuchang Institute of Fine Arts, Southwest Academy of Fine Arts, and Northwest Academy of Fine Arts. This collection provides a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to get a glimpse of Rammanohar’s artistic endeavour and Li Kuchan’s brilliance not only as an artist, but also as a teacher.
In 1957, Qi Baishi introduced him to Li Kuchan, with whom Rammanohar shared studio in Beijing for months. In that period, he demonstrated and tutored the Indian elements of painting to the students of Central Academy of Fine Arts and in turn, Rammanohar witnessed the nuanced skills of the Xieyi-way of depicting various aspects of forms and movements of birds and flowers, which was Li Kuchan’s forte.
This collection of Li Kuchan’s paintings, demonstrations, studies and rough-works were divided by subject matter into five parts: Birds, Narcissus & Flowers, Loquats, Lotuses, and Plum Blossoms. In addition, a Pink Lotus (Lot 1118) finished by Rammanohar (pinned to the wall behind Rammanohar in the accompanying photo) is also present, which was exhibited in Rammanohar’s comprehensive shows in 1958 in different institutes of China, such as Central Academy of Fine Arts, National Central University Institute of Fine Arts, Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts, Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, Wuchang Institute of Fine Arts, Southwest Academy of Fine Arts, and Northwest Academy of Fine Arts. This collection provides a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to get a glimpse of Rammanohar’s artistic endeavour and Li Kuchan’s brilliance not only as an artist, but also as a teacher.
Brought to you by
Carmen Shek Cerne (石嘉雯)
Vice President