Chinese figure painting tradition examined through ancestors' portraits

Portraiture of the senior family members, made while they were alive or based on descriptions and imaginations, constituted an important part of classic Chinese figure paintings.

The Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing will unveil a new exhibition, titled Ancestral Worship, on Jan 1, to show selected ancestors' portraits in the collection of Chinese National Academy of Arts.

The show will survey the tradition from both an artistic aspect and as a custom that embodied cultural significance to ancient Chinese — paying respect to those who passed away, remembering their high morality and by which, educating the young to uphold to their principles.

Paintings on show are dated between the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, a period that witnessed a boom of making ancestors' portraits driven by economic and cultural prosperity.