Wang Qijun works at a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) building maintenance site in Taining, Fujian province. [Photo by Huang Zhiling/chinadaily.com.cn]

Workers repairing an ancient building in Taining county in Fujian province had a pleasant surprise on Friday when they found an amiable co-worker is a renowned artist.

"Professor Wang Qijun worked as hard as any other worker in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) building that we thought the 62-year-old was an ordinary old worker," said Min Gong, a middle-aged worker.

Hailed as one of the 60 most influential Chinese painters after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Wang, a professor of the Beijing-based China Central Academy of Fine Arts, is famous for researching Chinese architecture, mingling with ordinary people and doing paintings in a true-to-life style.

During his visit to Taining in early January, Professor Wang held his painting exhibition, donated 200,000 yuan ($30,335) for maintaining ancient buildings in the county and worked at an ancient building maintenance site.

Min did not know Wang is an artist until he asked the hardworking professor to have a simple meal with other co-workers at the construction site and was impressed with his deep understanding of ancient building maintenance when they talked during the mealtime.