Meticulous painting, also known as Gongbi, is a meticulous and detailed technique in Chinese painting, featuring strokes, colours, and decorativeness. This technique is characterized by delicate strokes, vibrant colours, and a layering process that creates stunning visual depth, often described by the phrase “three applications of alum and nine layers of coloring.” With a history spanning thousands of years, Gongbi has long been a dominant form of Chinese art. It first appeared in silk paintings from the Pre-Qin period, flourished during the Tang and Five Dynasties, reached its zenith in the Northern Song Dynasty, and gradually declined after the Yuan and Ming periods. However, the profound techniques of meticulous painting have been inherited in murals and industrial art. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, especially since the reform and opening up, Gongbi painting has seen a remarkable revival, evolving into a diverse and dynamic field.

This exhibition brings together seven distinguished contemporary artists who have made significant contributions to the field of Gongbi painting. The artists—CHEN Mengxin, JIA Guangjian, LIU Wanming, LU Yushun, MO Xiaosong, TANG Yongli, and WANG Yingsheng—are celebrated for their academic rigor, distinctive artistic styles, and innovative approaches. Featuring approximately 70 of their most representative works, the exhibition showcases a rich variety of subjects, including figure painting, flower-and-bird motifs, animal representations, and landscapes.

The NCPA is committed to promoting outstanding traditional Chinese culture. We hope that the audience can appreciate the poetic charm of Gongbi through these exquisitely detailed and artistically profound works, be inspired by beauty, and experience the painters' tributes to nature and life.