National Art Museum of China

The National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) is a national museum dedicated to the collection, research and exhibitions of modern and contemporary artistic works in China. In June 1963, Chairman Mao Zedong inscribed the Chinese-language title board of the museum, which demonstrated its position as a national art museum and the nature of its establishment. The main building features the styles of ancient Chinese attics and ethnic architecture, which is roofed with yellow glazed tiles and surrounded by corridors and pavilions. The building covers an area of more than 18,000 square meters with 17 exhibition halls from the first floor to the fifth. The museum boasts an exhibition area of 8,300 square meters and a length of 2,110 meters. Nine halls on the first floor cover an area of 5,100 square meters and a length of 1,400 meters; five halls on the third floor have an area of 2,000 square meters and a length of 429 meters, and three halls on the fifth floor cover an area of 1,200 square meters and a length of 235 meters. A modern storeroom founded in 1995 covers an area of 4,100 square meters. The museum houses more than 100,000 pieces of various collections, most of which are creations around the establishment of new China. Some collections are masterpieces from the late Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. Most collections are modern and contemporary works, including masterpieces of renowned contemporary Chinese artists, award-winning works from major art exhibitions, and various folk works. Included are such painters as Ren Bonian, Wu Changshuo, Huang Binhong, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, Jiang Zhaohe, Situ Qiao, Li Keran, Wu Zuoren, Ye Qianyu, Luo Gongliu and Wu Guanzhong. The museum also collects hundreds of foreign artistic works. German collectors Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ludwig donated 117 pieces of foreign works in 1999, including four oil paintings by Picasso.