The National Art Gallery of China (NAMOC) is hosting a major exhibition featuring renowned Chinese painter Xu Beihong, the first such large-scale exhibition of his works in 10 years.
Titled "Nation and Times", the exhibition will feature 100 of Xu's artworks and is the first comprehensive public showing of his large-sized paintings.
Spread out over three of the museum's halls, the first gallery is the "National Spirit" that includes representative works by Xu such as "When Faith Moves Mountains", "Wait for Me", and "The General Assembly for World Peace".
The second gallery, called the "Graphic Narrative", features Xu's preparatory sketches for works like "When Faith Moves Mountains", many of which are exhibited for the first time.
"Woes of the Family and Country" is the last gallery and focuses upon how Xu's depictions of animals (horse, lion) have been adopted as national symbols.
Widely-referred to as "father of modern Chinese painting," Xu Beihong is largely-known for Chinese-style artworks that have incorporated Western techniques. Besides influencing his peers with his techniques in oil and ink, Xu is famed for having presided over China's top art school, the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
The Xu Beihong exhibit runs until Mar 4 at the National Art Gallery of China, located west of Dongsi Station on Beijing Metro Lines 5 and 6. Admission to China's largest art museum is free, but visitors are required to obtain tickets at the museum's entrance by showing their personal identification (ie. passport for expats).
However, visitors should brace themselves for long lines to this popular show; the National Art Gallery only issues a total 4,000 tickets per day. NAMOC closes at 5pm daily and is not open Mondays.
And, for culture enthusiasts who want more, other Xu works are available for viewing at the Xu Beihong Museum located in Beijing's Xicheng District.
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Images: NetEase, China Daily