An exhibition of 19th century European paintings, jointly sponsored by China Millennium Monument World Art Museum, the Simón Foundation and several other museums is being showcased at the China Millennium Monument World Art Museum. The exhibition, named "From the Academic to Impressionism" in the exhibit from 7 March to 8 June, 2008.

Greek Girls Picking up Pebbles by Frederic Leighton

The 100 paintings, in China for the first time, cover different styles: classical, romantic, realism, impressionism, pre-Raphaelite, etc. The names of the artists, who had created a series of prestigious works, are Frederic Leighton, Rossetti, Turner, Corot, Miller, Monet, Renoir and so on. The 100 paintings, hardly known and appreciated until the 1990s when Juan Antonio Pérez Simón had them as privately collection, have made Mr. Simón one of the most important art collectors in America.

The exhibit is divided into four segments: 1) Classical school and classical body, 2) Romantic and reminiscent, 3) Light and color, 4) Labor songs.

1. Classical School and Classical Body 

A Classical Beauty by Godward

John William Godward was a painter of classical genre scenes, best known for his highly finished paintings of pretty girls in classical robes, indeed, he became known as the master "classical tunic gown" painter.

The delicate skin of the beauty in this painting is presented by the thin clothing material. The figure appears nobler from low angle.