Rare painting on display at national art museum

The immense collection of the National Art Museum of China includes several pieces that are considered iconic. Among them is Refugees, Jiang Zhaohe's compassionate depiction of a people and a country suffering during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

The public doesn't often see this ink painting, completed in 1943, as it is 12 meters long and is too delicate to display.

Universal Harmony, an ongoing exhibition at the NAMOC, is a rare opportunity to see the landmark painting, which is on show together with dozens of other artworks from different periods by members of the China Democratic League.

Founded in 1941, the league was composed of figures from cultural and art circles. Many of them were artists of repute, who shaped the landscape of 20th century Chinese art.

Running through Sept 5, the exhibition shows how the league's members, driven by their love of the country and its people, used art to make work that continues to touch and motivate people today.

The exhibition celebrates the upcoming 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Work by members of the China Democratic League, mostly professional artists, on show at the National Art Museum of China. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Work by members of the China Democratic League, mostly professional artists, on show at the National Art Museum of China. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]