Ink and watercolour on paper, signed by Li Xiong Cai with two red seals. 58 x 38 cm. Born during the Qing dynasty in the Guangdong province of China, Li Xiongcai was born to an illustrious painter and calligrapher called Li Tingjun. Li Tingjun was also skilled in rubber making and supported the family through the same. It was through him that Li Xiongcai developed an interest in painting from an early age and received basic training from his father. He studied Chinese painting at Zhaoxing Middle School from the famous painter Chen Jian. Soon after, Xiongcai met with the famous painter Gao Jianfu, the founder of “Lingnan School†of painting. Gao Jianfu saw immense potential in the young artist and appreciated his work. Following Jianfu to Guangzhou, Xiongcai became a student in his school called Chunshui Art Studio. It was in this period that he received additional training in art and made great progress in sketching technique. In 1932, he studied fine arts at the Tokyo Art Institute where his expenses were being borne by the Chunshui Art School. He used this time to study Japanese paintings and their techniques. Returning to China in 1935, he supported himself by taking up teaching posts at various places such as Guangzhou Art Institute, the Guangzhou Art Academy and the National Art Academy in Chonqing. During the war years, he traveled extensively to places in western China. As a part of his travels, he minutely observed historical sites and made sketches of these places. With the growing industrial spaces after the founding of Republic of China, he made sketches of rural as well as developing areas. Over the years, he produced an extensively large number of paintings and sketches, some of which are even monumental in size. In 2013, one of his paintings was sold at a record price of 10 million Euros in Beijing. Mostly painting figures, flowers, birds and landscapes, he skillfully carried out the traditions of the Lingnan School. At the same time, he built up his own style. Painting on a large scale, he painted with bold brushstrokes which created paintings with a majestic atmosphere. The dominant theme in his paintings is that of “shanshui†which is mountains and water and those of “huaniao,†which includes flowers and birds. PROVENANCE: T. Ng Collection, Toronto.

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.