A show of portraits at the National Art Museum of China is also a
conversation among the three major art genres - oil on canvas, fine
brushwork (gongbi) and ink-and-wash painting. Some 156 works by 52
artists occupy five exhibition halls of the museum. Facing the
works of Chen Danqing, Wang Meng and others, viewers can appreciate
the different characteristics of each artist's style.
Sponsored by the China Oil Painting Institute, Beijing Fine
Brushwork (Gonbi) Painting Association and the Central Academy of
Fine Arts, the exhibition represents Chinese work of the highest
level.
Portrait has long been a common theme of all kinds of art works
both for Chinese and Western artists. Traditional Chinese portraits
are mainly executed in the style of fine brushwork to present
emperors, empress and beauties. With the new attempts of the
artists in the early 20th century, this genre was developed into
free-hand ink and wash, with its theme expended to literati and
ordinary people. The founding of New China has witnessed a
flourishing period, with timely works presenting figures against
the background of historical events.
Chinese oil painting stems from the court works of the early
20th century when Western missionaries came to the oriental
country, bringing with them a new perspective. It became localized
and evolved into the major painting genre it is today. Contemporary
portraits by Chinese artists have continued to develop in various
innovative ways. After the Beijing debut, the show will tour
Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities of China, then Sydney next
year.
Venue: National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng
District
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, until Dec 14
Price: 20 yuan
Tel: 010- 6401-7076
(Beijing Weekend December 8, 2007)
