A large-scale exhibition of French etchings from the Louvre museum in Paris is currently being held at the Sichuan Museum in Chengdu, offering audiences a rare chance to enjoy some of the best etchings from France.

Audiences enjoy some of the best etchings from France. [Chinanews.com]

Entitled Filed of Etching, the exhibition is displaying 138 works that have been carefully selected from the Louvre's collection, according to Xie Dan, director of the exhibition department at Sichuan Museum.

Highlights include pieces with famous subjects from classic French paintings such as Mona Lisa and Freedom Leading the People, all of which were collected by the court of France in the 17th century.

Other highlights include several pieces with the themes of Chinese scenery and life, which were created by French artists living and working in China in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Audiences enjoy some of the best etchings from France. [Chinanews.com]

During this time, many French etching makers lived in China, commissioned by the court or traveling in search of their dreams. They made etchings for the court or simply recorded aspects of everyday life that they witnessed while in the country, according to Xie.

"Many of these etchings are now precious documents that reflect both Chinese history and communication between France and China during that time," Xie said.

Known as the center of the international art world for centuries, France has a long history of making delicate etchings, which had a huge influence in China since the art form was introduced by a French envoy to the Qing court in 1687, according to Xie.

With a collection of more than 13,000 pieces, the Louvre has the largest number of French etchings in the world. Its vast collection was originally built by several kings of France, with Napoléon Bonaparte gradually enlarging it before donating it to the museum.

As one of the largest museums in southwest China, Sichuan Museum is the last stop for the exhibition, which was previously shown in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. In Sichuan, the exhibition will run until September.