Between mountains and waters, artists create a peaceful realm for hearts and minds

In one of the chapters of The Analects (Lunyu), a compilation of the ideas of Confucius, the master writes, "The wise man finds pleasure in waters, the virtuous man finds pleasure in hills".

The making of landscape paintings was an important way for ancient Chinese to feel connected to nature, and to nourish their hearts and minds.

Zhi Shui Ren Shan, an exhibition at the Long Museum's West Bund venue, is a display of dozens of landscape paintings by modern artists that present their investment in devising novel expression through ink, color and varied methods of layering and shading.

The dramatic social transformations of the 20th century influenced the making of landscape paintings. Painters worked to adapt the tradition to address changing social values and aesthetic preferences.

Also on show is a collection of landscapes attributed to Shitao, the monk born as Zhu Ruoji, who became a noted artist of the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. His revolutionary ideas have been admired over centuries.

The exhibition runs until March 2.