A 700-YEAR-OLD painting, listed by the State as a Grade-I cultural relic, will be on display at the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair which is scheduled to open Thursday (May 18).

The painting, titled "Ancient Trees and Spring Brook," is from the private collection of a Shenzhen resident who has insured the work for 60 million yuan (US$7.5 million).

The collector, who refused to reveal his identity, said the public display of the painting was aimed at demonstrating that the young city of Shenzhen has a collection of valuable works of art. He did not intend to sell the piece.

The painting will be on display at Hall 1 of the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. Calligraphy and painting experts from the Imperial Palace Museum in Beijing will be invited to offer insights into the painting.

The piece was one of the famed twin paintings by Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) painter Luo Zhichuan. Its sister painting, titled "Crows in Old Trees," is a part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the United States.

The Daily Sunshine said the twin pieces are highly regarded by collectors.

Luo, a native of Qingjiang in Jiangxi Province was best known for his landscape paintings. He learned from Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) painting master Guo Xi, and combined the best of all known schools of painting.

Editor: Wing