David Qiyi Liu

Still Life with Crabs, Oil Painting

2022

Artist Comments
Crabs crawl out of a bowl beside a glass of white wine, sliced fruit, and a red ceramic jar. A dramatic illumination intensifies the contrast of light and shadow in the composition. Classical brushwork, along with layered glazing techniques and finely textured strokes, captures the sheen and varied textures of subjects. In this still life, artist David Qiyi Liu takes inspiration from the Dutch masters and the theatrical chiaroscuro of Caravaggio.

About the Artist
Artist David Qiyi Liu paints realist works in oil, blending traditions of naturalism, neoclassicism, and elements of photorealism and impressionism. “I create this work because I believe painting has the power to honor life with care and to reveal the quiet poetry of the world around us,” says David. His subjects range from portraiture and Tibetan life to landscapes and still lifes, all reflecting his reverence for both individuality and universality. Influenced by masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velázquez, and Andrew Wyeth, he strives to unite technical precision with emotional resonance. After receiving a Fine Art degree in 1977 and a Master’s in Oil Painting in 1988, David taught for more than thirty years in China before moving to the United States in 2022. He now works from his Flushing, New York studio, where morning light fills his space with clarity and calm. Outside of painting, he enjoys studying original works in museums, exploring art books, and guiding students in their creative growth.

Words that describe this painting: Dutch, Caravaggio. chiaroscuro, crab, wine, jar, dramatic, tomato, wine, glass, still life, classical, oil painting, black

Still Life with Crabs
David Qiyi Liu
Oil painting on stretched canvas
Finished white edges
Varnished and Ready to hang
One-of-a-kind
Signed on front
2022
22 in. h x 28 in. w x .75 in. d
3 lbs. 0 oz.