Drawn to each other

Hua says Qi's works formed the bulk of pieces collected by Xu, and he collected them not for private appreciation, but because he anticipated the building of public galleries where these pieces could be displayed.

Xu's collection of Qi's works later became part of the Xu Beihong Memorial Hall's trove, and the bulk of them are now on show at the exhibition at the Fine Art Academy.

After Qi died, his family donated dozens of his artworks to the country, and the works formed the first collection of the academy.

In 1946, Xu returned to the Beiping Fine Art College which he headed until his death. And, he also invited Qi back to teach.

Hua says Qi, who was then in his 80s, lectured once a week, and Xu escorted him back home each time.