Darlings of the dynasties

This three-day exhibition of 183 masterpieces is well worth a visit. On show are artifacts that span from Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

Highlights include Zhao Mengjian's horizontal scroll Narcissus of the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhang Ruitu's Verdant Mountains and Cold Current of the Ming Dynasty, as well as Xu Beihong's figure painting and Guo Moruo's calligraphy work of the modern times.

One exhibit jointly features Huang Binhong, Hu Hanmin, Chen Rong and Zhang Guang, who are all accomplished artists in the late-19th century.

One piece is a powerful fan painting featuring round-shaped calligraphy at the bottom. Mountains pile on top of mountains, forests are dark, deep and forbidden. In the center of the tableau nestle two cottages, which are delineated with simple lines, compared with the heavy brushstrokes.

Viewers acquire a sense of heaviness and solidness, at the same time, can feel the calm and peace.

As well as such great names as Qi Baishi, Li Keran, Huang Zhou and He Xiangning, visitor can also find some second-echelon artists, including Wang Shifang, Zou Kuozu and Huang Jie.

Also on show are the manuscripts, letters and sketches by Xu Beihong, Zhao Puchu and Chen Shaomei.

After the show, the exhibits will be compiled into an album of Chinese treasures of painting and calligraphy, published by the Cultural Relic Press.

9 am-5 pm, Dec 3-5

Beijing World Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, A9 Fuxinglu, Haidian district

6851-3322

中华世纪坛世界艺术馆, 海淀区复兴路甲9号

Wu Liping

(China Daily 11/29/2008 page6)