Juan Manuel Delgado, a young artist from Costa Rica is wowing Beijing's art lovers with his first ever exhibition in China. The exhibition showcases 30 stunning oil paintings the artist has created over the past two decades.

"Orchid Tongue with Monarch Butterfly" on display at the exhibit. /CGTN photo

The works are executed with a precise technical mastery and each piece tells a unique story of the individual or subject matter. The "Orchid Tongue with Monarch Butterfly" is one of Delgado's most representative works. 

The artist said: "Behind me is the butterfly which is very symbolic, because that was a characteristic of contemporary painting that I did. It is a work that I created when I went outside, it was a classical and traditional art that I usually do." 

Oil paintings on display at the exhibition. /CGTN photo

Delgado's art career began at an early age. He has gained wide recognition for his oil paintings, which feature portraits of ordinary people, world leaders, celebrities, his family and himself. 

"I love portraits because you capture the essence and soul of the person," Delgado added.

The exhibition opened at Beijing's Jintai Art Museum on November 22. The first day saw viewers from home and abroad attending the premiere, including the Costa Rican ambassador to China. 

The ambassador believes this kind of event will serve as a cultural bridge to connect the two countries: "We want to expand our culture network, we want to expand our culture artists in all senses and in all activities possible. We have a very good relationship with China, we want to exchange more of the culture aspects of our countries, to understand better what the art is and what the exhibition of the different components of art. We can do here and in our country as well." 

One visitor said: "I have never seen oil paintings by an artist from Costa Rica. They're beautiful. Delgado's superb artistry really impressed me." 

A self portrait of Juan Manuel Delgado on display at the exhibition./CGTN photo

Delgado told CGTN that he came to China last year. Looking ahead, he is trying to blend Chinese culture into his future artworks: "For my next exhibition, I have been focusing on different provinces of China and painting exactly the different dressing, clothing, architecture and landscape. I started a really large painting of Hanfu dress in Beijing. I have went to many provinces and just learned the traditions each province has. It's absolutely beautiful because its endless here in China."