Visitors can see excerpts of the argument from the replica of a handwritten letter from Xu Beihong. In the letter, addressed to a friend, Xu praised Van Gogh as an exceptional artist "standing apart from Cezanne and Matisse".

"While Matisse's creation depicts influence of Asian art from both China and Japan, we can find traces of influence by Matisse in the works of important modern Chinese artists such as Liu Haisu, Sanyu, and Zao Wou-ki," said Joan Valadou, consul general of France in Shanghai, at the opening of the exhibition. "Matisse reflected the vibrant artistic exchanges between China and France."

Valadou points out that art and culture has always been of great importance to exchanges between China and France, and that the Matisse exhibition in Shanghai will be part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France next year.

The Matisse Museum originally opened in the town hall of Matisse's hometown in 1952, where the Matisse family lived for almost 300 years. It was moved to Fenelon Palace, a building from the 18th century, in 1982. As the museum is currently undergoing renovation and is closed to the public, many of its artworks have been able to make an appearance in China. The museum is expected to reopen in June next year.

"We hope Chinese visitors can come to our museum and see the artworks here in Le Cateau-Cambresis, a small town in northern France that is no more than two hours by train from Paris," says Sophie le Flamanc, deputy director of the Matisse Museum in France.

If you go

Matisse by Matisse.

Nov 4-Feb 18, Tue-Sun, 10 am-7 pm.

UCCA Edge, 2F, 88 Xizang Beilu, Jing'an district, Shanghai.

021-6628-6861