The Art Museum recently launched an exhibition of 70 modern Chinese paintings from the Eryi Caotang collection. These paintings demonstrate the development of Chinese modern painting from the late nineteenth to the twentieth century. The exhibition, entitled 'Splendid Images: Chinese Paintings from the Eryi Caotang Collection', is open to the public until 17 May 2015. The master of Eryi Caotang has been collecting modern Chinese paintings for over 40 years, including many works by renowned Chinese painters such as Qi Baishi (1864–1957), Xu Beihong (1895–1953), Zhang Daqian (1899–1983), Lin Fengmian (1900–1990), Fu Baoshi (1904–1965) and Li Keran (1907–1989).

In addition to having high aesthetic value, the paintings shown in the exhibition carry historical significance. Through tracing the story of how the master of Eryi Caotang acquired his collection of modern Chinese paintings, the exhibition hopes to pinpoint the close linkages between Hong Kong–mainland relations and the history of modern Chinese painting. Selected pieces are displayed below:

	Ren Bonian (1840–1895) The Girl Weaver Dated 1881 Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper 132 x 65 cm
	Qi Baishi (1864–1957) Lady Hongxian Stealing at Night Re-inscribed 1947 Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper 86.5 x 35.5 cm
	Li Keran (1907–1989) Worshipping the Rock Dated 1981, re-inscribed 1983 Vertical scroll, ink and colour on paper 69.5 x 46 cm
	Gao Qifeng (1889–1933) Peacock Dated 1909 Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper 242 x 119 cm
	Zhang Daqian (1899–1983) Susukha in Yab-Yam Vertical scroll, ink and colour on paper 97 x 54 cm
	Shi Lu (1919–1982) Yellow River Gorge Hanging scroll, ink on paper 109 x 69 cm

The exhibition catalogue is now available. It includes an essay, an interview with the master of Eryi Caotang, descriptions of the 70 exhibits and another 52 paintings from the Eryi Caotang collection in both Chinese and English.

Details of the exhibition are as follows:

Website: www.cuhk.edu.hk/ics/amm/