A booming town along Grand Canal in focus at painting exhibition

The Take the New Standard exhibition, at the He Xiangning Art Museum through Oct 10, reflects the rise and fall of fine arts in Yangzhou, a prosperous town in Jiangsu province, for over three centuries since the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

It shows 80 classical Chinese paintings by preeminent artists from Yangzhou, including the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhouan art group active in the 18th century whose innovative style was later adopted by modern Chinese artists.

Yangzhou benefited from the booming businesses along the Grand Canal, especially salt trade. It attracted not only merchants from across the country but also intellectuals and painters who created brilliant culture and art there.