A Chinese traditional painting of buffalo by late painter Li Keran was auctioned for 5.5 million yuan (US$662,650) in Beijing Sunday.

Li Keran (1907-1989), an important ink painting master of the 20th Century, loved the buffaloes of southern China and most of his works focused on landscapes and buffaloes.

The auctioned painting of "Nine Buffaloes", painted in 1985, 2.63 meters wide, is Li's largest work on buffaloes, a common subject in his art.

The works also carries comments describing the animal as admirable and formidable.

The auction was carried out by Beijing Hanhai Auction Co. Ltd, which set the reserve price at 2.8 million yuan. The company refused to reveal any details of the buyer.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2004)