HAN MEILIN (BORN 1936) Donkey, 1979HAN MEILIN (BORN 1936)Donkey, 1979Ink and color on paper, matted for framing, inscribed by the artist and dated jiwei and signed Meilin with two artist's seals, Meilin kuaiyi and an animal-shaped seal.13 x 14 1/4in (33 x 36cm)韓美林（生於1936年） 小毛驢 設色紙本 鏡片 一九七九年作款識：己未，美林鈐印：肖形印、美林快意 Provenance:Acquired in China, 1979來源：1979年購於中國Han Meilin's animal paintings are visually compelling yet delivering a soothing effect. He uses minimal brushstrokes and simple geometric shapes to render the essential nature of his subjects. Lots 834-837 are four of his animal paintings, three of which are dated 1979. Although well known in China by the late 1970's for his creative renditions of animals, a 1979 tour of the United States brought Han Meilin fame on the international stage. The same year an exhibition of over 200 of his works at the National Art Museum in Beijing attracted over 200,000 visitors in 21 days.Han Meilin was originally from Jinan, Shandong province and began his formal training at the Central Academy in Beijing in 1955. His experience as a fine arts teacher of elementary school during 1952-1955 and a decorative art teacher and painter from 1960 to 1970s laid critical foundations for the shaping of his artistic style. In addition to his works on paper, the artist also explores sculpture, working with glass, ceramic and metal media. Famously, Han Meilin also designed the Fuwa dolls for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the iconic red phoenix corporate logo for Air China.