The 60 paintings on show have been collected from around the country and are the valuable property of members of China's older generations who have preserved the paintings as examples of an ancient art form.

As an artistic form, Spring Festival pictures first appeared during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220). In those days, people used to put pictures celebrating the coming of the Spring Festival on the entrance doors of their houses. The pictures were changed every year, as people bid farewell to the old year and hello to the new year.

The paintings depicted scenes from everyday life.

"It can be said that Spring Festival pictures are mirrors of different times and show different historical backgrounds. These 60 pictures will help today's people get a better idea of the old days," said Huang Ke from the Shanghai Art Association.

Every picture has an interesting story to tell, mostly relating to legends and traditional operas.

In ancient China, windows in houses were usually small with poor natural lighting. As a result, artists were particular about the application of colours when they painted their Spring Festival pictures. Bright and attractive colours were used to create a merry festival atmosphere.

The styles of painting varied according to local customs and traditions. In this exhibition, the different styles in painting between North and South China can be easily seen - the former is forceful and rough, the latter looks graceful and elegant.

Although Spring Festival paintings have existed as a popular art form in China for 2000 years, however, they were often treated dismissively and even harshly. "They were put on people's gates and went through wind and rain. It was hard to preserve them," said Huo Cunfu, a retired reporter from the Shanghai Wenhui Daily. Many spring festival pictures have long disappeared from the world.

But they provided a record of China's history. They depicted the way Chinese people down the ages have pursued their lives. "We not only wish visitors to get to know this old art form, but we also want to protect it and save it through this exhibition." said Wu Zude from the Shanghai Literary and Art Federation.

January 17-February 18

(closed down from January 30 to February 7)

Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum

79 Fenyang Lu

Tel: 6437-3454

(Shanghai Star January 24, 2003)