The three superb works include one by Wang Xizhi, who was considered one of the greatest calligraphers in the Chinese history, and one each by his son, Wang Xianzhi, and grandson, WangXun, who were also outstanding calligraphers.

The 72 rare calligraphy works and paintings are on display in the Shanghai Museum, 22 of which belong to the Palace Museum in Beijing.

The show includes calligraphy works by other ancient Chinese calligraphers such as Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing, two of the four top artists of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 a.d.), and four leading artists of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1279 a.d.).

A number of prestigious paintings are also on show, the most famous of which is "Qingmingshanghetu", from the Northern Song Dynasty, which features a panorama of daily life, business activities and social interaction in China's capital of that time.

The show was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Museum, which has about 4,000 visitors each day.

(People's Daily December 3, 2002)