Sketching a timeless tribute

Xu Beihong's commitment to sketching was not merely academic; it was a lifelong practice. According to Xu Qingping, his father produced thousands of sketches throughout his life. This meticulous practice of sketching laid the groundwork for Xu Beihong's later masterpieces and became a defining characteristic of his artistic journey.

In celebration of the 130th anniversary of Xu Beihong's birth, an exhibition has been organized at the museum that brings together nearly 100 of his most exquisite sketches.

According to Zhang Limeng, a curator of the museum, these works, many of which are being displayed publicly for the first time, are drawn from the collection of the Xu Beihong Memorial Museum. The exhibition marks the most comprehensive and systematic review of his sketch works since the museum opened in 1954. The Xu Beihong Memorial Museum, located in Beijing's Xinjiekou area, had undergone nearly nine years of renovation and expansion before reopening to the public in 2019.

The exhibition not only honors Xu Beihong's legacy as a painter, but also offers a rare glimpse into his creative process. It provides insight into the artist's deep commitment to both traditional Chinese art and Western techniques.