Traditional Chinese painting has long attracted Western artists. To unravel some of the mysteries behind the age-old art, a 60-volume series entitled "Paintings of Chinese Masters" has been published by the North America Fine Arts Publishing House and will soon be available worldwide in both English and Chinese.

The first 30 volumes of the collection series. [Global Times]

Edited by Zhang Shengyuan, a prolific artist and curator, the series comprises of representative paintings by modern Chinese masters including Ren Bonian (1840-1895), Wu Changshuo (1844-1927), Qi Baishi (1864-1957) and Xu Beihong (1895-1953).

According to historical records, as early as the Warring States period (475-221 BC) there were professional painters. These artists were known as "painter historians" and they created works to "enlighten people and promote morality."

Traditional Chinese painting consists of three major types: landscapes, flower and bird paintings and figure painting. Different from oil painting, Chinese painting emphasizes lines instead of color and occupies an important position in the art world.

Despite the long history of Chinese art, the series only includes paintings from the late Qing Dynasty (1644- 1911) to the present. Zhang said that the paintings in this selected period are closer to today’s readers in terms of theme and style.

"China boasts a galaxy of excellent painters from the late Qing Dynasty onward," Zhang told the Global Times. "It was no easy job to select 60 from thousands of them."

He said that if more funds become available a series of painting collections from previous dynasties would be published.

Zhang explained that in the past, publishers have catered to the artist rather than to art history, many accepting donations from artists to be included in a collection or who’s-who list.

To ensure the series’ authenticity, in 2006 the North America Fine Arts Publishing House established a committee of artists, critics and sinologists to create the collection.

Modern Chinese painting is deeply rooted in traditional and culture. It also borrows from Western oil painting.

Famous artist Xu Beihong learnt Chinese painting, calligraphy and seal cutting from his father. He studied Western fine arts in France and other European countries. With a solid foundation and high level of skill in both spheres, Xu began to reform traditional Chinese painting. As president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in early 1950s, Xu advocated realism and stressed sketch exercises in art education.

In the late 1970s Chinese painting entered a new era. The relationship between art and politics were not as closely tied as before and Chinese artists were freer to do as they pleased.

In "Paintings of Chinese Masters," each painter selected has made a significant contribution to the art world.

More and more foreign artists are becoming interested in Chinese painting with the "Paintings of Chinese Masters" series aimed at satisfying their curiosity and opening new doors.

(Global Times July 19, 2009)