Paintings offer a glimpse of early 20th century Chinese fine art

Nearly 40 oil paintings by artists who taught or studied at Beiping Art School are on display, offering a glimpse of the modernization of Chinese fine arts in the first half of 20th century.

Beiping Art School was founded in 1918 under the initiative of the prominent educator Cai Yuanpei. In 1950, the school was merged with the third campus of North China University to form the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Although having been neglected by the public for decades, the school marked the beginning of China's modern education of fine arts. Many of its teachers and students such as Wu Fading, Li Yishi and Wu Zuoren heralded the Chinese oil painting course and made great contributions to art education.

All the artwork on display is from CAFA's collection. Most of it is rare and being presented to the public for the first time. Xu Beihong's Front and Side Sketch of a Man was created when he studied in France. Xu headed the school from 1928-1933 and 1946-1949. The painting may help researchers better understand his early oil paintings and art education philosophy.

The exhibition will be on display at the CAFA Art Museum until April 25.