BEIJING, June 29 -- Classic artwork from Disney Animation will be put on display in the National Museum of China (NMC) starting on Tuesday.

"Drawn from Life: the Art of Disney Animation Studios" features more than 300 art objects, including scenes from Steamboat Willie, Mickey Mouse, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs and Lion King, created in the past 90 years of the studio's history.

The exhibition consists of four themes: friendship, family, courage and love. Many sketches have not been shown to the public before.

It's easy to forget that behind each final Disney animated film is a collection of thousands of sketches. But when the filming wraps, they are often archived and overlooked. Mary Walsh, managing director of Disney Animation Research Library, said such exhibitions are like walking into Disney history.

NMC's deputy curator Chen Lyusheng said Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck were the first animated figures to appear on TV in China in the 1980s. Disney animations have since been loved by their Chinese audience.

The exhibition last until Aug. 18 before moving to Shanghai.