Artist of the day

Monday, November 9, 2026

Artist of the Day, November 9, 2026 : Li Mei-shu. A Taiwanese painter, sculptor (#2673)

Li Mei-shu (1902 – 1983) was a prominent Taiwanese painter, sculptor, educator, and politician who made an enduring impact on Taiwan's cultural landscape. After finishing his initial academic training at the Taiwan Governor-General's National Language School, he pursued a rigorous higher education in Western painting at the prestigious Tokyo School of Fine Arts, graduating in 1934. This educational foundation grounded him firmly in the Realist style, which he masterfully utilized throughout his lifelong profession to depict authentic, everyday Taiwanese life, local landscapes, and elegant portraits.

Professionally, Li managed a highly successful, multifaceted career. He co-founded the influential Tai-Yang Art Society in 1934 and later directed fine arts departments as a dedicated academic dean and professor across premier institutions like the National Taiwan University of Arts. Beyond his educational and creative endeavors, he successfully engaged in regional governance, serving as an active county councilor to support community interests.

His most remarkable corporate-scale accomplishment and career highlight remains his appointment in 1947 to lead the extensive reconstruction committee for the Qingshui Zushi Temple in Sanxia. Over the course of nearly four decades, Li meticulously managed this massive architectural project, integrating intricate traditional stone and wood carvings with disciplined Western artistic concepts to transform the structure into an iconic historic monument widely celebrated as a Palace of Oriental Art.

Li Mei-shu is to be remembered for his unwavering commitment to local heritage preservation and his unique refusal to commercialize his creative output, often keeping his paintings to protect his artistic independence or support his students. By bridging fine art, public service, and sacred architecture, he firmly established an exceptional benchmark for cultural leadership in Taiwan.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Li Mei-shu or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

Li Mei-shu

1930 Sanxia Mansion Old Street

1933 Nude

1935 Lady Resting in the Garden

1935 Portrait of Sister

1939 Girl in the Red Dress

1940 Guishan Island

1941 Atumn Fullness

1941 Fall in the Yard

1942 A Clear Day

1942 Atumn Fullness

1948 Sunset

1952 Girl by the Balcony

1959 Pausing for Thought

1959 Sitting Quietly

1960 Summer Dress

1962 Portrait of Yu Yo-ren

1963 Resting after Picking Tealeaves

1964 Mid Summer

1965 Shaded Brook

1966 Reclining Nude

1972 Riverbank Morning

1975 Relaxing on a Holiday

1976 Spring Scenery

1977 At the Coffee Shop

1979 Chanting

1981 Five Auspicious Koi

Girl

Still Life

Wooded Landscape

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Artist of the Day, November 7, 2026 : Kees van Dongen, a Dutch-French painter (#2672)

Cornelis Theodorus Maria "Kees" van Dongen (1877 – 1968) was a prominent Dutch-French painter and printmaker who achieved international renown for his contributions to early twentieth-century modernism. Born in Delfshaven, Netherlands, he pursued his formal art education at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam between 1892 and 1897 before relocating to Paris, where he eventually obtained French citizenship. As a professional artist, van Dongen initially established himself as a satirical illustrator for prominent French periodicals before successfully transitioning into a prolific, full-time painter.

His signature style is inextricably linked with Fauvism and Expressionism, characterized by a radical departure from traditional realism in favor of vibrant, unblended colors, bold contours, and highly stylized forms. Van Dongen’s major professional accomplishments include his participation in the historic 1905 Salon d’Automne exhibition alongside Henri Matisse, which effectively launched the Fauvist movement, and his subsequent induction into the prestigious French Legion of Honor in 1926. A definitive career highlight was his highly lucrative transition into a premier high-society portraitist during the 1920s, during which he captured the glamour and elite lifestyle of the Parisian avant-garde and international bourgeoisie.

Ultimately, van Dongen is best remembered for his sensuous, psychologically charged portraits of women, which frequently featured exaggerated features such as oversized, almond-shaped eyes and vivid red lips. His innovative approach to color and composition fundamentally redefined the boundaries of modern portraiture, securing his legacy as a pivotal figure who successfully bridged the gap between radical avant-garde experimentation and sophisticated commercial prestige in the global art market.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Kees van Dongen or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only