The little grass, painted by Li Yansheng in 1985. [Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

Deer belling -a voice of Chinese spirit

Li Yansheng is a famous painter of Chinese classic art. During his 50-year painting career, Li created many popular and impressive deer images, which became a unique symbol of his artistic style.

His inspiration to draw deer came from a coincidence. Once he came across a beautiful sika deer while painting outdoors. Touched by its alert and delicate eyes, he suddenly felt the impulse to paint the lovely, smart and quick creature. That is how so many vivid deer images later jumped onto his drawings and have become his passionate companions since then.