More than 260 lots of Chinese paintings will be offered at Sotheby's Spring Sale 2008 Auction on April 8, announced Sotheby's Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The art works of famous Chinese artists from various collectors in Europe include a private collection of Fu Baoshi from France, a European collection of four late works by Qi Baishi, a Southeast Asian private collection of Xu Beihong as well as a private collection of Huang Junbi.

"Cross-Island Highway, Taiwan" by Zhang Daqiang, one of the best-known Chinese artist of the 20th century, is estimated at 4 to 6 million HK dollars (about 514,138 U.S. dollars). It is considered to be one of the most representative splashed ink and color on paper paintings in Zhang's later artistic career.

Another painting by Zhang Daqian offered in this auction is " Recluse in the Spring Mountain". The lot is an emulation of a masterpiece of the same name by Wang Meng, a master of ink painting of Yuan dynasty, and is considered to be the best imitation Zhang ever accomplished. It is estimated at 2.5 to 3.5 million HK dollars (about 321,336 to 449,871 U.S. dollars).

A selection of antique Chinese classical paintings will also be offered in the auction. "Landscape After Wang Meng" by Wu Li, an artist in early-Qing dynasty, was accomplished during the height of Wu's artistic career. It is estimated at 3.8 to 5 million HK dollars (about 488,432 to 642,674 U.S. dollars).

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)