An exhibition featuring Italian Baroque and Renaissance paintings kicked off Sunday at the China Art Gallery.

One of the most important items in Sino-France culture year, the exhibition includes 111 paintings from the three masters of renaissance -- Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael, as well as some works from the early Baroque period.

Most of the items on display are being shown to the public for the first time. Each piece reflects the development of Italian painting in 16th and 17th centuries.

(CRI.com February 8, 2005)