Lacquer art of Yi Ethnic Group, by Gu Shengyue.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Imperial academy" painters serving the court of Southern Song period (1127-1279) developed a style in which the fine brushwork, neat composition and vibrant colors jointly accentuate a majestic and serene mood that not only pleased the rulers but has also been followed by artists of future generations.

Today in Hangzhou, the provincial capital of Zhejiang and former imperial seat of Southern Song, the beautiful landscapes and rich cultural atmosphere have continued to inspire artists, while their works are no longer exclusive but serve the need of people.

Dozens of such works of artists of Zhejiang Fine Art Academy are now on show at the gallery of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles in Beijing.

The show until Sept 29 looks back on the academy's development over the past four decades: how the institution and its artists have depicted the progress in the many aspects of the country and its people's mentality over time, which goes with the reform of Chinese ink art to address the aesthetic needs of the public in ever-changing social circumstances.