In-Ting RAN

Ran In-Ting : A Life Devoted to Art and Cultural Legacy

Born in 1903 in Yilan, Taiwan, Lan Yin-Ding began his career as an art specialist at Luodong Public School in 1920. At the age of 21, he became a disciple of Japanese painter Kinichiro Ishikawa, studying under him for four years. He also taught at the Taipei First and Second Higher Girls' Schools. Lan dedicated his life to watercolor painting, establishing it as his lifelong passion.

In 1926, Lan participated in Japan's prestigious Teikoku Bijutsuten (Imperial Art Exhibition) and earned the honor of being selected. Three years later, his work Street Scene was featured in the 10th Imperial Art Exhibition alongside Chen Cheng-Po's Early Spring.

Na served in numerous prominent roles throughout his career, including as a member of the United Nations Art Committee, the Academic Review Committee of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China, and the Cultural Renaissance Movement Committee. His notable works include Duck Farmer’s Home (1966), which is part of the collection at the Cambridge Museum of Art in London.

In 1962, Na was named one of the "World's 25 Most Outstanding Contemporary Artists" in the Geneva International Art Yearbook. In 1971, both the European and American Art Critics Associations recognized him as one of the inaugural "World's Top Ten Watercolorists." Na's paintings, often depicting the pastoral beauty of Taiwan's countryside, earned him the titles "Watercolorist of the Joyful Countryside" and "Cultural Ambassador of My Hometown." Drawing from the essence of traditional Chinese ink painting, he reimagined the watercolor medium, creating unique artistic landscapes that were widely reproduced as calendars, greeting cards, and art books.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Na made significant contributions to literature and media. In 1951, he founded the Harvest Biweekly, aiming to educate farmers on knowledge crucial to improving techniques and productivity. The publication remains in circulation today. During the late 1960s and 1970s, Lan held prominent positions at Taiwan Television (TTV) and China Television (CTV), including serving as chairman of the board at CTV. Among his literary works, Religion and Art, Art and Life, and Na’s Musings stand out. The essay Reflecting on the Source While Drinking Water, from Na’s Musings, was included in the Republic of China’s National Compilation and Translation Center’s Middle School Chinese Language Textbook as an optional reading piece. Ran In-Ting passed away in 1979 at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazing artist and cultural luminary whose works continue to inspire and resonate with art lovers and scholars alike.