Through touring exhibitions, public programs, performances, and digital re-enactments, they hope to raise the international profile of this modern icon of Chinese art. Another exhibition is being held at Rongbaozhai's headquarters in Liulichang, a street of antiques shops, which focuses on Qi's sales.

An exhibition of selected work from the Beijing Fine Art Academy's collection, Qi Baishi: Inspiration in Ink, opened on Dec 12 at San Francisco's Asian Art Museum. It runs until April 7, after which it will travel to Boston.

Wu says the exhibition at the Grand Canal Museum directs attention to the link between Qi, his art, and Beijing, and how that connection would inspire new perspectives of the capital.

Wang says the exhibition is like a trip through time to meet an interesting man on the streets of Beijing. "Through Qi's eyes, and following in his footsteps to the scenes he depicted, maybe we will gain new experiences that will help soothe our hearts."

Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn