Painting exhibition opens to mark China-France relations

The Bolt, Jean Honore Fragonard, Louvre

An exhibition featuring paintings from five French museums opened Friday at China's National Museum in Beijing.

The exhibition, which includes ten masterpieces in total and lasts from April 11 to June 15, marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France.

The five French museums include the Louvre, Centre Pompidou and the Palace of Versailles.

Pablo Picasso's "Reading of the Letter," Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Dance at Le moulin de la Galette" and "The Swing" and seven others will be shown to a Chinese audience for the first time.

A congratulatory letter from French President Francois Hollande said that art is a special medium in the cultural exchange between China and France and the exhibition can best reflect French art.