While the 19th century was a time of tumultuous changes, particularly in Western Europe, it brought with it some classic, soothing art, writes Wang Jie.

For most art lovers, Western art of the 19th century is like a dream - mysterious and unreachable. But the exhibition "From the Academia to Impressionism," on loan from the private collection of Mexican business magnate Juan Antonio Perez Simon, turns the dream into reality.

About 100 pieces from the Perez Simon exhibition are at the Shanghai Art Museum covering classical, romantic, realistic and impressionist styles from the early 10th century to the early 20th century in Western Europe.

The exhibition, which is soothing, poetic and romantic, is divided into four parts - the human body, an Oriental imagination, landscape knitted with light and shade, and laboring scenes.

Every painting compels visitors to linger. The messages conveyed in both the portraits and landscapes are lyrical and harmonious, providing a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of modern city life.

"I felt so relaxed after visiting the show," says Wang Ling, a 30-something white-collar worker. "Apart from the sheer beauty of the art, I wish I was able to live inside the paintings where everything is so elegant and tranquil."

Originating in ancient Greece, Western classical art flourished in European art institutions in the 19th century, particularly in Italy, France and Britain.

"The 19th century was also a time of enormous change with revolutions in economics, technology and science that brought new visual experiences and promoted the observation and expression of light and shade," says Li Ning, an organizing staff member. "The artist started to pay more attention to realities and to approach nature."

Thanks to modern restoration techniques, the paintings are in great condition, as if they had just been lifted from the artists' easels.

Most of the portraits feature females and female bodies such as "Classical Beauty" painted by John William Godward (1861-1922) in 1906. It depicts a girl in a silk dress posing on a marble pillar. The folds in her dress and her hairstyle are so realistic it is hard not to marvel at the artist's superb skill.

Another painting, "The Dancing Girl," created by William Clarke Wontner (1857-1930) in 1903 shows the artist's special interest in Oriental culture with the girl dressed in Arabic style. The background including the carpet, jewelry and fabrics all exude an exotic aura.

In the eyes of Europeans of the 19th century, the East meant recreation, relaxation and stimulation. Thus Oriental-themed paintings were quite popular in the market.

Compared with the figure paintings, the landscapes are a bit overshadowed in the exhibition, but visitors can still find some traces of the later modernism and impressionism. Big names represented include Pierre August Renoir (1841-1919), Paul Gaugin (1848-1903) and Edvard Munch (1863-1944).

There is also a special screening introducing of 19th-century classical paintings at the museum every day.