?Recently Chinese oil paintings were often sold at a high price in the auctions. A professional painting seller from Beijing said many traditional Chinese painting collectors had turned to buying oil paintings, thus helping to create a booming oil painting market.

It is reported that traditional Chinese paintings have been one of the most attractive collections for years, but according to statistics provided by Artron.net, the Chinese oil painting index has increased from 2,300 points in 2005 to 7,000 points in 2006. A market analyst reveals that the current oil painting price is 100 times higher than that of a few years ago.

Many factors are pushing forward the price rise. The main one is that more and more foreigners have invested in Chinese art market. Analysts believe the prices of Chinese oil paintings are generally much lower than those of Western oil paintings. They think that compared with Chinese calligraphy and porcelains, Chinese oil painting price will keep rising in the near future, especially these high-quality works.
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?(Chinanews.cn August 11, 2006)