Based in Paris, Chu Teh-Chun's works are seen as poetic abstraction. [Photo: China Daily]

An unusual opening was held at National Art Museum of China in Beijing for a master painter, in celebration of his 90th birthday this year.

Though his family and friends, joined by throngs of people from the art community, attended the event, Chu Teh-Chun was absent.

The Chinese-born abstract painter based in Paris missed the opening of his largest ever retrospective show, in Beijing on Friday, as he had a stroke last year in Paris.

"He couldn't come for this grand, home-coming retrospective show. But he has entrusted us to offer this special exhibition to art lovers in his homeland," said Tung Ching-Chao, Chu's wife.

On behalf of Chu, Tung donated a huge, triptych Chu created in 1982 and 10 of his early ink works to the museum.

In return, museum dean Fan Di'an presented Tung a deluxe catalog specially made for the exhibition.

The five-part exhibition chronicles Chu's career, with 113 works, including early figurative paintings, abstract oils, sketches, prints, painted ceramic jars, ink paintings, and Chinese calligraphy done in cursive script.

There is also an hour-long documentary about Chu's life and art; and a recreation of Chu's studio in Paris, in a corner of the museum's third floor.

Oil painting "Street Scene A" created by Chu Teh-Chun in 1955 [Photo: namoc.org]