Upset by the depiction of Chinese painter Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) in the TV series "Zhang Daqian," his daughter is now asking for public pressure to stop the TV drama from going on the air, according to Sunday's Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

One of the most important Chinese painters of the 20th century, Zhang Daqian's image as a respectable man was damaged by the TV drama, according to Zhang Xinqing.

"My father is a patriotic painter with a leading reputation both as a painter and a person. The play didn't explore my father's achievement in art and paid no attention to the great things he did. Instead it is about the relationship between him and some seven women, which is totally inaccurate. This has damaged my father's image," Zhang Xin-qing said.

The dispute between Zhang's daughter and the drama's producers broke out in December when Zhang¡¯s family learned of the story line.

Zhang Xinqing was quoted by the Beijing Youth Daily as denying any authorization from the family to shoot the drama. Producer Zhang Zhenqi claims that Zhang Daqian's grandsons Zhang Jinxian and Shi Lei were consultants.

"Zhang Jinxian and Shi Lei didn't know their grandfather well. They don't have the right to represent the Zhang family,"Zhang Xinqing said.

Zhang Xinqing, 77, is in a rest home in Shanghai.

"As Zhang Daqian's daughter, I hope people involved in the issue will respect my opinions. If not, I have to ask for help from society. I would not allow anyone to damage my father's reputation. When the time is ripe, I will sue the studio."

Zhang Xinqing said she and about 10 other descendants of Zhang Daqian will bring the issue to court if necessary.

(Shenzhen Daily March 13, 2006)