The documentary "Guo Weiqu" featuring the Chinese painting master's representative works, lifelong efforts in art education and his striving spirit was aired on the China Media Group's (CMG) TV channel on August 7.

Born in 1908 in Weifang, Shandong Province, Guo Weiqu was a pioneer and innovator in modern bird-and-flower painting, as well as an art theorist and educator. He started to imitate the original works of well-known painters from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) at a very young age. Painting master Qi Baishi once described him as the only modern painter who could reproduce the spirit of the Ming Dynasty masters. He later spent three years studying Western painting at the Shanghai Art College and created his own painting style integrating modern and Western elements into traditional Chinese painting. 

At the age of 29, Guo studied under the famous Chinese landscape painter and art theorist Huang Binhong. He then spent 20 years collecting and collating source material on the history of Chinese painting. His efforts were repaid with the publishing of "Chronology of Painters and Calligraphers in Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties," which still serves as one of the most crucial reference books on the history of Chinese painting to this day. 

Guo died in 1971, after having not only dedicated his life to painting and art theory, but also to cultivating his students. He initiated a trio of subjects – imitation, sketching and innovation – to help foster his students and hone their sense of conceptualization, aesthetics and artistic skill. 

The documentary created by CMG introduces the legendary life of Guo Weiqu through aspects of his painting innovation, art theory research and art education. The film crew visited Guo's hometown, former residence and gallery collections, and interviewed family members and art scholars to give a comprehensive overview of Guo's 63-year life with rare photos and footage.