Woodblock New Year paintings exhibition kicks off in Beijing

Traditional Chinese art enthusiasts and cultural aficionados alike have recently been flocking to eastern Beijing to attend a national exhibition of woodblock New Year Paintings. This exhibition has been meticulously curated with a particular emphasis on horse-themed masterpieces to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Horse.

The exhibition has a section dedicated to classic works from 10 major production areas, including Beijing, Taohuawu in Suzhou, and Jiajiang in Sichuan. Notably, the woodblock New Year paintings produced in the Chinese capital feature, for the first time, a complete showcase of the replicated "100 Paper Horse" engravings. 

The showcase of door deity paintings is another highlight of the ongoing exhibition. And the door gods depicted in these paintings are frequently shown astride horses, in scenes that conjure up New Year recollections of old Beijing, when locals would fix these to their doors.

To immerse visitors in the charm of intangible cultural heritage, a specially designed interactive area has been created, where, under expert guidance, visitors can experience this fascinating art form firsthand.

Moreover, the exhibition has also attracted a group of visitors from African countries, highlighting its international appeal and the universal fascination with this traditional Chinese art form.

The exhibition, which not only serves as a platform to showcase the richness and diversity of Chinese woodblock New Year paintings but also promotes cultural exchanges and understanding between China and the rest of the world, will run until February of 2026 at the Beijing Chongde Hall Plaque Museum.