The Burma Road, which connected Myanmar to China's Yunnan province, was a crucial route for transporting supplies to China during the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Chinese workers and engineers toiled on the road, many losing their lives in the dangerous terrain. Xu Beihong's portrayal of these workers in Yugong Yishan was a tribute to their sacrifice and determination.

"Some of his sketches for these paintings are displayed in the exhibition," Xu Qingping says. "For instance, there are studies of dandelions growing on the ground, and the muscular structure of the Indian laborers. He called them 'modern-day Yugong'."

Lin Mao, president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, says: "Xu Beihong's sketching integrates the essence of Chinese artistic traditions with the strengths of Western art. His works combine the anatomical accuracy and light-shadow techniques of Western realism with the elegance of Chinese bai miao — fine-line drawing and ink wash."

Xu Beihong, born in Yixing, Jiangsu province, was also the first director of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing after the founding of New China in 1949.