This paper is devoted to the issues of displaying the national culture and history in modern oil painting. The study examines the results of two exhibitions held in 2009 and 2011, i.e. the Art Project concerning Important Historical Issues of the Country commemorating the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and, to a lesser extent, the 2011 exhibition dedicated to the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. The analysis of these events reveals not only the lines of development in Chinese oil painting, but also how signifi cant the role of the national culture and history is in the work of contemporary Chinese artists.

Keywords: oil painting, China, exhibitions, national culture, history of China in oil painting, culture of China in oil painting

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