On Monday, the National Museum of Fine Arts paid tribute to dedicated "Tiger" painter, Feng Dazhong. There, the 60-year-old painter's first solo exhibition was launched.

Against the crimson walls of the National Museum of Fine Arts are an artist's sober yet keen reflection of traditional Chinese painting styles. Seventy paintings of landscapes and animals make up a premier selection of works from Feng Dazhong's long career.

As a leading painter from northeast China's Liaoning Province, Feng Dazhong established his reputation with his "Tiger" paintings. The country has never been short of good portrayals of the revered animal, but Feng's approach has been acclaimed for "humanizing" the normally fierce and cruel animals.

Using his fine and delicate strokes known as "Gongbi" in traditional Chinese painting, he portrays tigers falling in love, enjoying family unions or even lost in meditation. The painter has also borrowed ideas from western oil portraits, giving his tigers a warm sheen.