Exhibition is a portrait of another time and ethos

Work of classic Ming and Qing dynasty artists shows profile expertise, Lin Qi reports. 

In some ways it is a new era of art. It may not measure up to the glory of, say, the Renaissance or Impressionism, but taking good selfies is nonetheless a new form of art for people in the digital age.

Of course, centuries ago, owning a portrait was considered a luxury and a sign of ostentatious wealth. Only people from high society and well-to-do families could afford it.

Lifelike as Reflections in the Mirror, an exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, shows portraiture from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

The exhibition, running through Jan 16, brings together ink-color figure paintings from the assemblies of the National Art Museum and Nanjing Museum in Jiangsu province.

Classic Chinese portraiture was a way to pay respect and to educate people on social norms and courtesies, says Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum.

"Portraits reflect one's physical features and, at the same time are a snapshot of the times showing traces of history. They help people understand the changes of the world."