Modern and contemporary artworks in this album are superb and rich in variety. The best-known artists are the Three Rens of Haishang (Shanghai) (Ren Xun and Ren Yi) and the Three xiongs of Haishang (Ren Xiong, Zhang Xiong and Zhu Xiong). With renowned artists such as Xu Gu, Zhao Zhiquian and Wu Changshuo they boldly blazed a new trail for artists of the time and became known as the Hai, or Shanghai, School. Xu Gu (1824-96) was very concise and sparing in the use of ink. He did not seek verisimilitude. His style is quite similar to that of abstract paintings of modern Europe. His originality and ingenuity often surprise viewers. Ren Yi's (1840-95) paintings of human figures, flowers and birds are executed with both freehand brushwork and realistic style. The two techniques are ingeniously used, incorporating simple black ink washes and colourful pigment. Precise contours and masterful brushwork create interesting, natural scenes on paper. Following Hua Yan. he was an artistic genius in his time. Many of his works have come down to us; this book contains as many as twelve. In its long lifetime traditional Chinese painting has gradually formed a distinct national style and its own aesthetics.Its strong Oriental flavour, the pictures it presents and the messages it conveys appeal to people all over the world. This album will be appreciated not only by scholars at home and abroad but also by lovers of traditional Chinese painting. I should like to express my gratitude to the collectors for their long years of effort and also to the publisher and editors for this excellent selection.