The exhibition aims to introduce you to China’s rich and unique culture by presenting selected aspects of Chinese landscapes, plants and animals, festivities, historical customs and conventions, Chinese day-to-day life, the world of literary figures, signs of the Zodiac, Taoism and Buddhism as well as by highlighting the respective symbolism. This objective is achieved through paintings of the highest quality, created by very famous Chinese artists. These include art works created since Ming and Qing
Dynasties, as well as brilliant masters of the twentieth-century China, such as Qi Baishi, Li Ke‘ran and Guan Liang, those who like stars in the night, light up the spirit world of Chinese culture. This combination of extremely important masterpieces from the collection of the Beijing Fine Art Academy and unique insights into China’s rich culture together with interpretations of the symbolism is being shown outside China for the first time.

Returned Cattle in Sunset, Chinese Zodiac Animals Album, 2 of 12 Qi Baishi, Colours on paper, 67.5×33 cm, 1938 Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy		Hen and Chickens, Chinese Zodiac Animals Album, 10 of 12 Qi Baishi, Chinese ink on paper, 68.3×33.5 cm, 1943 Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy
Cheng Yanqiu on the Stage Ye Qianyu, Colours on paper, 98×51 cm, 1959 Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy		Stronger with Age Qi Baishi, Colours on paper, 91×48 cm, undated Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy
Double Mantis Qi Baishi, Colours on paper, 69.5×35 cm, undated Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy		Shi Tao in Painting Qi Baishi, Colours on paper, 26.5×33 cm, 1935 Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy
Monkey Stoles Peach, Chinese Zodiac Animals Album, 9 of 12 Qi Baishi, Colours on paper, 68×33.5 cm, 1944 Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy		Red Plum Blossom Qi Baishi, Colours on paper, 176.5×47.5 cm, undated Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy
Landscape Album: Traveling Consciously, 11 of 16 Wang Hui (Inscript), Colours on silk, 31.5×21 cm, Qing Dynasty Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy		Landscape Album: Traveling Consciously, 14 of 16 Wang Hui (Inscript), Colours on silk, 31.5×21 cm, Qing Dynasty Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy
Roles in Chinese Opera Guan Liang, Colours on paper, 34.5×35.5 cm, 1953 Collected by Beijing Fine Art Academy © Beijing Fine Art Academy