Directors of leading museums in the city, including Chen Xiang of China Art Museum Shanghai and Yang Zhigang, head of Shanghai Museum, had all worked with Shanghai TV to host guided tours during the lockdown period.

"The pandemic did cause some disturbance to our exhibition plans this year," Chen told the media.

"A few important exhibitions had to be postponed as they involve artworks borrowed from institutions in other parts of China. An exhibition of new artworks featuring ancient Chinese folklore about the creation of the world was also postponed," he said.

At the Liu Haisu Art Museum, a large exhibition featuring the 110-year history of the "Shanghai academy of fine arts "will take place in September.

Founded in 1912 by Wu Shiguang, Liu Haisu and Zhang Yuguang, the school was the first college that enrolled both male and female students in China. It was also the first art school to introduce nude female models to its classroom, and publish China's first art magazine.

The new exhibition will present this important part of China's art history, as well as works by renowned artists, such as Lyu Fengzi, Guan Liang and Chen Hengke.