Bidspirit auction | Waterfowl Sporting Lotus Pond, by

Waterfowl Sporting Lotus Pond, by Li Kuchan - Li Kuchan (1899–1983), originally named Li Ying, with courtesy names Chaosan and Ligong, was a native of Gaotang, Shandong. He was an outstanding modern Chinese ink painter and art educator, best known for his bird-and-flower paintings, though he also excelled in landscapes and figure painting. A student of Qi Baishi, Li Kuchan integrated influences from Ming and Qing masters such as Xu Wei and Bada Shanren to develop a powerful, vigorous, and expressive style. His brushwork is bold and unrestrained, with strong, seasoned strokes—particularly in depictions of eagles, herons, cranes, and other birds. His subjects are rendered with both anatomical accuracy and vivid spirit, often embodying resilience and dignity, reflecting his deep admiration for the national character. As an art educator, Li taught for many years at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and other institutions. He emphasized the importance of inheriting the essence of Chinese painting and advocated that “art should serve life.” He mentored numerous young artists and played a key role in modern art education. His works were frequently exhibited both in China and abroad, and collections such as Li Kuchan’s Paintings have been published. Li Kuchan laid important groundwork for the development and popularization of modern Chinese freehand bird-and-flower painting.