Through his paintings, Wang Xijing pays tribute to Chinese artistic traditions and the history of his hometown Xi'an, Shaanxi province, while capturing the vitality and momentum of the country's social development. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chang'an — present-day Xi'an in Shaanxi province — was not only the capital of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), one of the most powerful empires in history, but also the cradle of a rich cultural legacy that gave rise to the Chang'an School, one of the most influential movements in 20th-century Chinese painting.

Born and raised in Xi'an, Wang Xijing has devoted decades to carrying forward the spirit of the Chang'an School, renowned for its innovations in Chinese ink art.

His retrospective exhibition,Return to Chang'an, at theNational Art Museum of Chinauntil Friday, traces how the city's deep historical and cultural heritage shaped his life and artistic journey. In turn, it highlights how his tireless explorations have contributed to Xi'an's contemporary cultural landscape.

Through his paintings, Wang Xijing pays tribute to Chinese artistic traditions and the history of his hometown Xi'an, Shaanxi province, while capturing the vitality and momentum of the country's social development. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Through his paintings, Wang Xijing pays tribute to Chinese artistic traditions and the history of his hometown Xi'an, Shaanxi province, while capturing the vitality and momentum of the country's social development. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]