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Lot Essay
Wang Yirong was a high-ranking government official from Shandong who obtained the jinshi degree in 1880. At the time this painting was made by the Empress Dowager, Wang held the post of libationer of the Imperial Academy. He was a connoisseur of ancient stone and bronze objects and was one of the first collectors of inscribed oracle bones. On the day that the Allies took control of Beijing, he committed suicide out of loyalty to the throne.