Salisbury Cathedral with a Rainbow, by John Constable (1776-1837). [Photo provided to China Daily]

The works of some influential artists are on display, including Joshua Reynolds (1723-92), who was the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, and his great rival Thomas Gainsborough whose portrait of Prince of Wales, later King George IV, is exhibited.

Stone says Paris had been the center of the print market until the mid-1750s, but thanks to the success of Hogarth and subsequent British artists, London became the center of printmaking.

"By the 1770s, French were buying English prints, whereas early in the 18th century, the English were buying French prints," he says.

"Quite a few of the prints in the exhibition were bought by me from a Paris art dealer. These English prints had been enjoyed by French art collectors for over 200 years."

The last - but by no means least - artists on show include John Constable (1776-1837) and William Turner (1775-1851) whose works show that "by the 19th century, British printmakers were the best in Europe", says Stone.

Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

9 am-4:30 pm, through Feb 28. Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian district, Beijing. 010-6275-9784.