A China-donated sculpture has been unveiled in Florence, Italy as part of the activities marking the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci's death, sources with the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) said. The work by Chinese sculptor Wu Weishan, director of the NAMOC, features Da Vinci and Chinese painter Qi Baishi having dialog, and is on exhibition in the Accademia Delle Arti del Disegno (Academy of the Arts of Drawing). It marks the first time for the academy in its over 450 years' history to collect and exhibit the work of a Chinese sculptor. Qi Baishi (1864-1957) is a famous Chinese painter noted for watercolors featuring a huge variety of subjects. "Though Leonardo da Vinci and Qi Baishi lived hundreds of years apart, they have both contributed a lot to human civilization, and they could have a conversation that transcends time and space," said Wu. Wu is an internationally renowned sculptor. His portraits of many great historical figures of Chinese culture, including Confucius and Laozi, have been exhibited in many countries across the world.
For the first time in its 450-year history, the Academy of the Art of Drawing in Florence will exhibit the work of a Chinese artist, donated to the museum by the National Art Museum of China. The sculpture by Chinese artist Wu Weishan features Leonardo Da Vinci and Qi Bashi (hundreds of years), the celebrated watercolorist, in dialogue. Wu said that although Da Vinci and Qi Bashi existed 1864-1957 apart, they have both made significant contributions to civilisation, and the two artists could have a conversation that "transcends time and space".