An exhibition of 51 masterpieces by 12 French impressionist painters was opened Wednesday in Shanghai and will last until Jan. 19 next year.

The art show is a key part of the "French Year of Culture in China," which was officially launched on Oct. 10.

The 51 paintings include works by Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet and Afred Sisley.

Of the 51 works, 38 are provided by the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, 11 others are from other French museums, and one from the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Group, which is sponsoring the exhibitions in China.

The show at the Shanghai Art Museum follows an exhibition in Beijing, which was held from Oct. 11 to Nov. 27 at the National Art Gallery.

The show attracted about 300,000 visitors in Beijing. The National Art Gallary in the nation's capital had to extend opening hours every day, and at the end of the event, it set a record of nonstop operation for 36 consecutive hours to receive enthusiastic art lovers.

Under the auspices of the French and Chinese ministries of culture, the show will move to Hong Kong at the end of its display in Shanghai.