Oil on canvas

61 x 50 cm. 24 x 19 2/3 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on bottom left; titled, signed in Chinese and dated on the reverse
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly by present Asian collector from the artist

The Spectacular Li River, A Song of Nature
Ma Changli, Nature's Troubadour

Ma Changli's landscape painting aims to express feelings through color, and the artist was once praised as the “troubadour of color” by well-known art critic Shao Dazhao. With a long history of practices, in the 1980s, Ma broke away from traditional realism and, by including unique imagery in his paintings, formed a new artistic language.

For View of Li River, Ma took on a high-angle perspective, creating a wide and deep visual effect. The natural composition and smooth brushwork reflect the majestic landscape of the “First Bay of the Li River”. The background features wavy hills, a nice contrast to the bustling flow of water in front. The group of houses along the river bank were a way for Ma to show a harmonious blend of human-made landscapes and natural scenery. The artist used his imagination to reflect the changing light and lines, giving the interlacing dark and light greens a distinctive rhythm. The waves and ships on the river give the impression of a true sense of current. The vitality Ma Changli injected into this image created a wonderful reflection of nature and gives viewers a hint of his overall positive outlook on the life of this world.

Price estimate:
HKD: 50,000 – 80,000
USD: 6,400 – 10,200

Auction Result:
HKD: 59,000