An ox painting contest is held in Ningbo's Ninghai county to mark the 124th birthday of painter Pan Tianshou on March 14. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

An ox painting contest was held in Ningbo's Ninghai county to mark the 124th birthday of painter Pan Tianshou on March 14.

More than 100 students from nine schools took part in the contest, which was held in Pan's former residence in the county.

Born in Ninghai, Pan Tianshou (1897-1971) is a late master painter known for creating large classic Chinese ink paintings that convey scholarly elegance, grandeur, and extensive artistic precision.

The contest comes as part of local authorities' efforts to commemorate Pan and promote traditional Chinese culture.