A painting by Ding Tianque. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Late painters Ding Tianque, Zhuang Huayue and Wu Cangshi maintained a friendship that went back to their days at Hangzhou Fine Art School (now the China Academy of Art).

They lived through a golden era in the development of modern Chinese art: Their teachers were masters of classic Chinese ink art or oil painters who were trained in France, and they were inspired by the integration of Chinese and Western art.

Their schoolmates included Zao Wou-ki, Chu Teh-chun and Wu Guanzhong.

Despite having experienced wars, chaos and illtreatment, the three painters never shed their love of painting.

An exhibition now on at the Ici Labas gallery in Beijing, through Sept 18, marks their devotion to art and their passion for life.