One reason for visiting Hong Kong, apart from it being a convenient entry point into the coastal provinces of China, is that it was hosting an exhibition of Impressionist paintings.

The "Impressionism: Treasures from the National Collection of France" exhibition is held at the Hong Kong Museum of Art from 5 February to 10 April after touring Beijing and Shanghai. A highlight programme of "The Year of France in China", the exhibition showcases Impressionist paintings from the Musee d'Orsay and other national collections in France. It offers a chance to view masterpieces by accomplished Impressionist artists.

For this exhibition, the organisers have amassed about 60 paintings by Boudin, Jongkind, Fantin-Latour, Manet, Degas, Bazille, Morisot, Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro, Monet, Caillebotte and Cezanne. Although subjects such as Degas' ballet dancers are represented, portraits and landscapes are more common. However, each artist had his own style of expression.

Although it was a weekday, the exhibition hall was packed with visitors. Clusters of people were standing in front of each painting, making it necessary to wait or nudge my way to have a better view. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable time spent at the place.