Dingwu Rubbing of the Lanting

Yu Ji (1272-1348) accepted a Confucian studies-based post teaching position in the capital in 1302. Thereafter, he served the courts of seven emperors from Chengzong to Shundi. He served up to the post of Kuizhang and Jixian Academician and was awarded the posthumous title of Wenjing. Many of Emperor Wenzong's decrees, as well as the organization of the Kuizhang Pavilion, were planned and composed by Yu Ji. He was gifted in standard, running, cursive, and seal script calligraphy, and both his conduct and poetry were praised by many.

Bian Yongyu (1645-1712) often went to the studios of such famous contemporary collectors as Sun Chengze, Liang Qingbiao, and Cao Rong to view paintings and listen to their discussions on art. Although his own collection was not as great, he diligently observed and recorded what he saw, thereby improving his skills at connoisseurship. His "Shigutangshuhuahuikao" traces works from antiquity, combining previous records and his own observations, making it a major synthesis of art catalogues.

Xu Jian (1713-1798) as a youth did not perform well in the civil service examinations, so he instead devoted himself to poetry, painting, and calligraphy. In his middle years, as a Tribute Student, he went to the Department of Rites for examination and later served as a staff member for Bi Yuan and Lu Yao. He excelled at calligraphy, especially clerical script and carving seals. His landscape paintings follow the manner of the Qing orthodox master Wang Yuanci.

Bi Long (1733-1797) was the younger brother of the scholar Bi Yuan (1730-1797) and son-in-law of the painter Zhao Rong. Bi Long was a book collector and had a particular penchant for painting and calligraphy, which he stopped at no price to acquire. His collection of ancient masterpieces did not pale in comparison to that of his brother. He also was gifted at poetry, was a connoisseur of painting and calligraphy, and a painter of landscape and bambood in monochrome ink.

Wang Wenzhi (1730-1802) was a calligrapher of the Qing dynasty. In the Qianlong era, he served as Student-in-waiting at the Hanlin Academy and Prefect of Yunnan. He later taught in his hometown at schools in Zhejiang and Zhenjiang. He was gifted in poetry and calligraphy and occasionally did paintings, especially those of plum blossoms in monochrome ink. One of his writings records the works in his collection and those that he had the opportunity to view. He also documented other aspects of contemporary paintings and artists.