What's on in Beijing (Jan 13-19)

Exhibition details beautiful new era in calligraphy

It has been a shared belief among practitioners of traditional Chinese ink-and-water art that an artist can only be considered a true master when they become adept at all of the four disciplines of painting, calligraphy, composing poems and designing seals.

For example, ink master Qi Baishi (1864-1957) is known for the meticulously detailed paintings he created. But he said himself that he was best at composing poems, and his ability to craft a quality seal and write calligraphy came second and third respectively, while painting was his least greatest achievement of all.

People can see if they agree with Qi by visiting a calligraphy exhibition now running at the National Art Museum, where Qi's calligraphic pieces are on show.

The exhibition, titled A Beautiful New Era, shows more than 90 works by modern calligraphers, such as Yu Youren, Gao Ershi and Zhao Puchu, through Jan 21. 

If you go:
9 am-5 pm (closed on Mondays), through Jan 21. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Avenue, Dongcheng district. 010 – 6400-1476.
Ticket: Free