Here is a rare chance to have a close look at some never-seen-before masterpieces at China's most visited art museum.
The National Museum of China (NMC) launched a special exhibition Wednesday with a precious cluster of ancient Chinese portrait paintings for the first time.
The exhibition features more than 50 pieces (sets) of portrait paintings from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, presenting figures from royal families, famous officials, ladies and scholars.
The National Museum of China unveils a special exhibition with a precious cluster of ancient Chinese portrait paintings for the first time. /NMC
The time-honored artworks have never been shown before and were especially selected among nearly 1,000 portrait paintings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, in the collection of the NMC.
Visitors can explore the evolution of portrait-painting styles and the changes in clothing, bureaucratic systems and social life during the two dynasties through the exhibition.
The paintings showcase a distinct landscape of history and culture in ancient China, embracing a great deal of value in research, according to the NMC.
One of the largest museums in the world, the NMC is home to 1.4 million-plus antique items and artworks.
The NMC has recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Central Institute of Socialism to promote fine traditional Chinese culture and protect the cultural legacies better.
Efforts made in managing crowds
For Chinese students who have just finished their semesters, visiting museums is a good choice for entertainment and education during the summer holiday.
The rare chance to view these art pieces is expected to draw crowds. The NMC has taken a slew of social distancing measures to ensure the safety and health of the staff and visitors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NMC has been controlling the visitor flow since it reopened in May. It used to admit 30,000 people a day, but now only 3,000 visitors are allowed.
Visitors are required to wear face masks, have their body temperature checked and scan a QR code to confirm their health status before entering the museum.
With 7.4 million visitors last year, the iconic museum in Beijing was the second-most visited art museum in the world, just after the Louvre in Paris.
(Cover: The exhibition in the NMC in Beijing, China, July 16, 2020. /China Daily)