CHINA Guardian Auctions, one of the country’s biggest art auction houses, has opened its spring season.

More than 6,000 items will go under the hammer this season, including a wide array of artworks from around the world. The auction preview showcased Chinese paintings and calligraphy, 20th-century and contemporary art, jewelry, and ceramics.

“Long March” by the late Chinese painter Li Keran is expected to fetch 120 million yuan (US$18 million), the highest in this season’s auction.

Li was a prominent Chinese painter in 20th-century Chinese art, known for his depictions of landscapes using both traditional and experimental techniques.

A scroll painting called “Ink Flora” by Ming-Dynasty (1368-1644) painter Xu Wei is also up for auction. Xu was also a poet famed for integrating calligraphy and poetry into his work.

German artist Gerhard Richter’s “Columns” is another important item of the auction. (CGTN)