Li Keran (1907–1989): Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Landscape Painting Li Keran, born Li Yongshun on March 26, 1907, in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province—a region steeped in Chinese artistic heritage—emerged from humble beginnings as a child prodigy captivated by painting. His parents’ illiteracy underscored the importance of self-education and fueled his innate talent for visual expression. From an early mentor, Qian Shizhi, Li honed his skills in traditional Chinese landscape painting, embarking on a journey that would ultimately redefine the genre's boundaries. His enrollment at Shanghai A…