Detail: The Lingnan School of Painting’s origins lie in Guangdong (present-day region of Canton), and marks the beginning of this important artistic scene at the beginning of the 19th century. Heavily influenced by the Tokyo-based school of Japanese painting called “Nihonga”, the Lingnan School united Chinese artists Chen Shuren and the Gao brothers, Gao Jianfu and Gao Qigeng. The Lingnan School brings together elements of Guohua and the expressiveness of Western realism. Like a number of their contemporary artists and philosophers, the three artists looked towards Japan for artistic inspiration.The temporary exhibition from March will welcome a rich ensemble from Hong Kong, European museums and private collections. The exhibition retraces the birth of the school, alongside the complexity of the political movement at the time.