li k'an
A Life Immersed in Bamboo: The World of Li K’an Li K'an, a name resonating with the quiet strength and understated elegance of his chosen subject matter, stands as a significant figure within the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) Chinese painting tradition. Born around 1245 in Jiqiu county – now part of modern Beijing – Li K'an lived during a period of dynamic cultural exchange and political transition. While details surrounding his life remain somewhat sparse, the essence of his artistic spirit is powerfully conveyed through the surviving works that depict bamboo with remarkable sensitivity and skil…
The Subject Atlas
A chart of li k'an's corpus mapped not by date but by subject. Spokes are what they painted; rings are when; and the threads between stars reveal the patrons and places that secretly connect them.
Spokes — Subject
Each arm of the atlas gathers works by what they depict: portraits, sacred scenes, mythologies, and the scientific studies. Click a spoke to swing that cluster to the top.
Rings — Career Period
Distance from the center marks time. The innermost ring is the earliest period; the outermost, the final years. Style matures as you move outward.
Threads — Shared Context
Coloured lines link works bound by the same patron, commission, or theme. Trace a context to watch related clusters light up across subjects.
