Beijing exhibition celebrates three masters of Chinese ink painting

By Liao Jiaxin

China.org.cn｜March 9, 2026

Editor's note: An exhibition bringing together more than 80 works by three of China's most influential modern masters is on view at the Guardian Art Center in Beijing through March 10.

"The Thousand Years — Exhibition of Fine Works by Xu Beihong, Qi Baishi and Zhang Daqian" traces the artistic innovations of painters whose contributions left a lasting mark on Chinese ink painting. This photo series offers a glimpse into their achievements and the creative dialogue between them.

A painting of a galloping horse by Xu Beihong on display at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

A painting of a horse by Xu Beihong on display at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Visitors listen to a staff member explaining artworks at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

A painting of shrimps by Qi Baishi on display at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Two landscape paintings — one by Qi Baishi (left) and one by Xu Beihong (right) — on display at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

An older visitor takes in the exhibition at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

A Zhang Daqian painting of Tonglu, a scenic county in Zhejiang province, on display at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Visitors explore the exhibition at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

A lotus and kingfisher painting by Qi Baishi on display at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Two whimsical paintings of mice on display at the Guardian Art Center, Beijing, March 7, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]