An artist of the people

Now, more details of how Jiang created one of his most successful works and his achievements as a leader in the figure painting genre of modern Chinese ink are revealed at an ongoing exhibition in Beijing.

Gazing Into the Vast Expanse, a new show mounted by Taikang Art Museum, runs at its venue in the capital's bustling central business area through to May 9.

In memory of the 120th anniversary of Jiang's birth, it navigates the artist's life and career: The vicissitudes of the country in the 20th century shaped his life path to become a painter working for his people, and when fulfilling this commitment, he meanwhile reformed the genre of classical Chinese painting.

A copy of the Du portrait and several other works of a similar composition that Jiang made as drafts are on display. The original piece is now in the collection of the National Museum of China in Beijing.