LI KERAN | Kunlun Mountains

signed KERAN, dated 1965, inscribed, with three seals of the artist, and one collector's seal

Previously from collection of German journalist Christian Roll (1915-2006)

Hong Kong, Tsi Ku Chai, Landscape Paintings by Eight Artists, May 9 to 12, May 9-12, 1990
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, In the Literati Tradition - Exhibition of 19^th & 20^th Century Chinese Paintings, November 20 to 22, 1990
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Tradition and Innovation - Twentieth Century Chinese Painting, October 27, 1995 to January 14, 1996
Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Tradition and Innovation - Twentieth Century Chinese Painting, April 25 to June 15, 1996
United Kingdom, British Museum, Tradition and Innovation - Twentieth Century Chinese Painting, July 26 to September 29, 1996
Germany, Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst, Köln, Tradition and Innovation - Twentieth Century Chinese Painting, October 18, 1996 to January 15, 1997
Taipei, National Museum of History, The World of Li Keran, November 3 to December 5, 2000
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, The World of Li Keran, December 15, 2000 to March 18, 2001
Hong Kong Museum of Art, The Grandeur of Chinese Art Treasures: Min Chiu Society Golden Jubilee Exhibition, September 25, 2010 to January 2, 2011
Hong Kong Art Centre, Rendering Change – The Arts of New China 1949-79, organized by the M K Lau Collection, April 3-13, 2015
Beijing, Dadu Museum of Art, Rendering Change – The Arts of New China 1949-79, October 10-30, 2015

Selected Landscape Paintings of Eight Artists, Tsi Ku Chai, Hong Kong, August 1989, pl.45
In the Literati Tradition - 19^th & 20^th Century Chinese Paintings, Luen Chai Curios Store, Hong Kong, 1990, p.53
Han Mo 4, Monograph - Li Keran, Han Mo Xuan Publishing Co. Ltd., Hong Kong, May 1990, p.53
Han Mo 25- Special Study on Authentication of Li Keran’s Paintings, Han Mo Xuan Publishing Co. Ltd., February 1992, p.53
Tradition and Innovation - Twentieth Century Chinese Painting, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1995, pl.70
The World of Li Keran, written by Wan Qingli, Shi Jh Tang Press Co. Ltd., Taipei, November 2000, pl.52
The World of Li Keran (1907-1989), written by Wan Qingli, China Times Publishing Co., Taipei, 2000, p.25
Rendering Change – The Arts of New China 1949-79 exhibition catalogue, M K Lau Collection, Hong Kong, 2015, p.1,18,19
Rendering Change – The Arts of New China 1949-79 exhibition brochure, M K Lau Collection, Hong Kong, 2015, p.8

-Signs of restoration could be found on the painting, which has already been restored, where there were areas of paper loss, which perhaps have been made by the artist during the completion of the painting. Two small areas at the upper part of the mountains, a very small area left of the inscription next to the word "評＂, and a squareish area below the artist's seal. All have been carefully restored. Otherwise, generally in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Kunlun Mountains is inspired by Chairman Mao Zedong’s poetry of the Kunlun Mountains, delineating the steep and staggering terrain of the imposing landscape which dominates the entire painting surface. Meandering wisps of clouds travel through the painting, with the Kunlun Mountains towering over the streams and woodland at its feet. The composition portrays a magnificent landscape, accompanied by the unabridged literary work of Chairman Mao Zedong, composed in the 1930s. The work is especially noteworthy for its unique literary and visual properties, which allowed it to rise from the shackles of political propaganda and stand as an individual work of art in its own right.