Tian Shiguang, an artist of the bird-and-flower painting genre and former professor at CAFA. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In 1937, he became the first of 35 researchers at the Chinese painting department of the Palace Museum. There, he had access to many ancient paintings by master artists, so his techniques and cultural attainment progressed.

He further integrated the style of mountain-and-water painting into the creation of flower-and-bird. He used the subjects of birds and flowers as the focus while the mountains were in the back round, presenting a grand feeling.

He taught at CAFA after 1949 and meanwhile painted many works of art that adorn the interior of official buildings and Chinese embassies abroad.

Some of these governmental bodies lent their collections of Tian's paintings for the underway exhibition. Also being showcased are works on loan from the National Art Museum of China and Beijing Fine Art Academy. The exhibition ends on Friday.