Xu Dongdong, a notable Chinese artist, has contributed a set of books containing samples of his work to Harvard, according to China's Xinhua News Agency.

Xu is trained in the techniques of traditional Chinese ink-and-water painting.

Over the past several years, he has donated some of his works and bound collections of reproductions to prominent institutions around the globe. Chinese embassies and consulates have facilitated these contributions. The Library of Congress and the Metropolitan Museum of Art have been among the recipients.

The driving force behind Xu's personal commitment to philanthropy has been his desire to spread Chinese culture, according to the Xinhua news agency. "Chinese paintings are magnificent, but Westerners know little about them," Xu told the agency.

Also in the agency's story, Chinese Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng praised Xu for "helping the international community better understand China."

Xu traveled to Harvard last month to present the album which contained his personal notes expressing respect for Harvard.

The two copies of the album are now located in the Harvard-Yenching Library and the Fine Arts Library.

According to Harvard-Yenching librarian James K.M. Cheng, the album contains "the representative work of Mr. Xu through different stages of his development as a modern Chinese artist."