Monitors of change

Paintings on display at the Beauty in the New Era exhibition include Back Basket by Pang Xunqin, Lamp, Flower and Fruit by Lin Fengmian and Flower and Bird by Ren Bonian.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Lao She not only collected, but also commented on art," says his son, Shu Yi.

"He wrote a series of articles critiquing almost every great painter of his time. He spoke highly of their achievements but also pointed out their shortcomings."

The couple often hung their collection on one wall of their sitting room. And they invited friends to come and appreciate them. From time to time, they would rotate the paintings. People called the wall, the "Lao She Gallery".

Now the National Art Museum of China has re-created the "Lao She Gallery", and people can share the writer's cultural tastes and also pay tribute to a true connoisseur.

The best works of the best artists are both precious and rare and therefore very expensive in a booming art market, says Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China.

"After seeing these masterpieces, some people will stop me and ask, 'How much are they worth?' I can only answer, they are priceless," he says.

"These artists do not get their share when their works fetch high prices at market. They worked because of their sense of responsibility to their art and the people. And it is our responsibility to pay them respect by sharing their art with as many people as possible.

"They are the peaks that generations will continue to look up to and admire."

An Yuanyuan, the museum's deputy director, says the works will continue to be shown in rotation on the sixth floor, as part of the museum's permanent display.

If you go

9 am-5 pm, through Sunday. 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.