'Louvre of Printmaking' opens, showcasing 500 years of global art

Hangzhou's Xihu district has unveiled a new cultural landmark — the Zhejiang Printmaking Institute, which opened on Nov 12 alongside the Reflections and Echoes: Hangzhou International Printmaking Exhibition.

Nicknamed the Louvre of Printmaking, the 5,400-square-meter institute combines exhibition halls, studios, research spaces, and public areas. Its glass-pyramid-inspired design harmoniously integrates with the surrounding green landscape, blending futuristic vision with natural aesthetics.

"We aim to create an art hall rooted in everyday life, where locals can experience global art history right at their doorstep," said Ying Jinfei, director of the Zhejiang Art Museum and president of the institute.

The inaugural exhibition, Reflections and Echoes: Hangzhou International Printmaking Exhibition, will run through March 2026, featuring over 300 masterpieces from artists such as Albrecht Durer, Edouard Manet, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali, tracing 500 years of printmaking history. The show also highlights works by contemporary Chinese artists inspired by West Lake and Liangzhu civilization, reflecting cultural dialogue and artistic innovation.

With plans to introduce academic forums, artist workshops, and youth programs, the institute is set to become a new hub for creation, research, and cultural exchange, bringing a dynamic new chapter to Hangzhou's artistic landscape.