Nearly 40 paintings by two German artists are on show in Shenzhen.

Titled “Moon in the River,” the exhibition depicts China as seen through the imagination of one German painter and the memory of another, although the images created by the two will appear unfamiliar to Chinese visitors.

The works of Johannes Grützkes, a contemporary German artist famous for his realistic paintings, include watercolors, woodprints and drawings themed on Chinese culture.

Although he had never been to China when he created the works, he still managed to convey his passion for the country through his paintings.

Christoph Haupt, a guest artist at the Shenzhen Fine Art Institute, has been in China several times.

Inspired by expressionism, his portraits of Chinese women seem like Mulan in Disney’s animated film of the same name, exaggerated and distorted.

The show will awaken in the Chinese visitors historical memories and a consciousness about the beauty of things too familiar to be noticed in people’s daily lives.

Dates: Through March 25

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Venue: Shenzhen Fine Art Institute

(深圳画院)

Add: Intersection of Jinhu Road and Yinhu Road, Futian District (福田区银湖路金湖路口)

Buses: 4, 5, 7, 46, 69, 201, 218, 222, 336, 352, 356, 361, 374

(Li Dan)