River as muse

A textile company funds a painting project that aims to present a modern view of the Yangtze's landscapes. Lin Qi reports.

The landscapes along the Yangtze, the world's third-longest river, have recurred as a motif in the works of Chinese painters for centuries.

Notable artists who have depicted the panoramic scenery include Xia Gui of the Song Dynasty (960-1279); Wang Hui, one of the four great mountain-and-water masters of the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911); and pioneers of modern art in China, such as Zhang Daqian and Wu Guanzhong.