The stunning terracotta figures of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) is a popular theme with many artists.

Early this week, the China Millennium Monument's World Art Museum received its first donation since opening in January. "Firmament," a painting created in 2005 by Fukuoka-based Chinese artist Jiang Yuan, recreates the glory of the terracotta warriors and horses.

It also marked curtains up for Jiang's solo exhibition of dozens of other paintings on the same theme.

The exhibition comes to Beijing after its China debut, from last October to February, at the Museum of Emperor Qin's Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Running until April 20, it conveys the extraordinary beauty of an ancient civilization.

Born in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jiang studied oil painting at the Guangxi Art Institute. Jiang arrived in Japan in 1988 to continue his art studies. For the first time, he felt overwhelmed by the number of original European oil masterpieces.

"They were there, glorious, natural and available for anyone to appreciate," he said.

Jiang could not help feeling that he would never be able to leave behind any such legacy. Also, as a Master's student he felt the lack of adequate research guidance.

He drifted along for a while till he discovered that many Japanese were keenly interested in China's ancient culture. Many of the family galleries treasured Chinese antiquities. That made him realize that he had forgotten his own heritage.

Jiang took off for Xi'an to discover his roots. "My feet could hardly move when I saw the terracotta figures," he said. "Looking into the eyes of those silent warriors and horses, I could only sense the strong will of my ancestors."

But this was not enough for him. During his stay at the Kyushu Sangyo University, Jiang tried new ways other than oils to capture the uniqueness of the terracotta figures.

He went to Florence, Italy, and was greatly inspired by the fresco. He entered Tokyo Art University and studied for a second Master's degree in mural art.

In 1995, Jiang held his solo exhibition of the first terracotta figure series at the Fukuoka Municipal Art Museum.

He combined traditional fresco techniques to revive the historical subjects, featuring sketches of solid outlines and thick brushes of mineral pigments. The use of gold and silver foils adopted from gilding techniques conveyed the Qin Empire's glorious past.

Jiang has taken his terracotta figure series around the world over the last decade. Visitors to his exhibitions or his New Continental Gallery have come away with two colours etched vividly in their imagination: blue and yellow.

"Blue represents Florence's sky, pure and peaceful. I would spend weeks there alone for inspiration after a year's work," the artist explained, while yellow connects him to his Chinese roots.

"I have never thought of Xi'an as dirty as described by others. I sensed the charm of an old yet lively culture in the air. I always take with me a bag of soil excavated from the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang (259-210 BC)," he said.

Source:China Daily