Landscape paintings show majesty of mountains and waters

Mountains and Waters of Majesty, an exhibition at the China National Academy of Painting, shows dozens of landscapes by 100 representative artists who helped generate the mountain and water genre of classical Chinese paintings.

The style of shanshui, or landscapes to depict natural wonders, began to form in the third century and became an independent genre of paintings in classical Chinese art traditions in late sixth and early seventh century. These paintings not only reflected people's impressions of nature but also expressed the philosophical perspectives of ancient Chinese on the relationship between people and the universe.

Shanshui paintings evolved in the second half of the 20th century to document China's revolutionary course and socialist constructions.

The exhibition at the China National Academy of Painting shows the latest developments in the style to hail the country's new accomplishments in political, economic and social areas.