Paeonia Lactiflora
Li Ruinian
1982
- YEAR:1982
- MEDIUM:Oil on canvas
- DIMENSIONS:85×69 cm
Introduction
One of the first-generation Chinese artists and art educators to study in Europe, Li Ruinian combined the rigorous modelling of Realism and the light and colour techniques of Impressionism with the poetics of Chinese painting to create a naturalistic style of oil painting. Xu Beihong described Li’s work as “simple, timeless, and rigorous, a naturalism that is extremely pleasing, a lyrical poem.” Li’s love of flowers and meticulous artistic practice throughout the years made Peonia Lactiflora an exceptionally agile and lively painting. In the painting, the blossoms and green leaves are rendered with delicate brushwork and precise light and shadow structure. At the same time, the red vase complements the intricate tablecloth adorned with auspicious traditional motifs. The work transcends time, conveying a poetic sentiment through the artist’s sensitive use of colour and masterful technique.
