The general consensus is that the development of drawings and/or sketches originated in the early Renaissance period.  Yet it can be traced back to the Greek period when vases and sculptures need the fundamental knowledge of sketch.  During the early development of art, the sketch was treated as draft; yet it can also be treated as “complete work” itself.  The sketch can be considered as the bones and structures of the work on canvas, the beginning of the imagery, and also the inspiration and starting point of the trail leading to the completion of the work.  So from the drawings and/or sketches, audiences can discover the original state of the artist through the use of lines, compositions, and subtle details of the facial expressions.

In this exhibition, there are a large collection of Cheng Chonglin’s drawings and manuscripts.  The inclusions are the sketches of his famous works, Chinese Labors, Pier Steps, People Going to the Bride's Home to Escort Her Back to the Wedding, People Sending the Dead to the Grave…etc., which show the records of his intense preparations.  These manuscripts and sketches reveal the amounts of studies, the times and planning to complete the works.  Through the exhibition, the audience can have a better understanding of the artist's thinking direction and creation process, so as to feel the fun of art appreciation.