A work by Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) painter Ma Yuan. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Diligence and Intelligence exhibition at the Long Museum's West Bund space in Shanghai has received rave reviews. Lin Qi reports.

Art auctions so far this year have generated several high prices for artworks from the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, including Yuan official-painter Ren Renfa's color work Five Drunken Kings on Horses that grossed 303.6 million yuan ($44 million) on Dec 4.

Intense bidding in salerooms indicate greater interest by private collectors, as they have become more knowledgeable about the two empires' cultural depth in recent years.

The Diligence and Intelligence exhibition at the Long Museum's West Bund space in Shanghai has garnered great reviews for its presentation of Song and Yuan art.

Song and Yuan artworks represent the epitome of ancient Chinese views on nature and the universe because they evoke elegant simplicity and majestic splendor.

As the works are very rare they are coveted by serious collectors of classical Chinese art. It is also very rare to see dozens of such fine examples of art in private hands at one exhibition.

The show presents more than 80 paintings, calligraphic pieces and ancient books.

The Long Museum, founded by self-made billionaire-turned-collector Liu Yiqian and Wang Wei, now operates from three locations－two in Shanghai and one in Chongqing. It houses their cultural assets, spanning from antiques to contemporary art pieces.