Seven years ago, the painting Depiction of Rare Fowl, painted by Emperor Huizong 900 years ago, was auctioned for 25.3 million yuan in Beijing. That set a world record for the price of an ancient Chinese artwork. Last weekend, that famous painting reemerged at another auction.

Depiction of Rare Fowl became the most prominent lot Friday evening at the Spring sale of the Poly Auction House. The bidding started at 38 million yuan Renminbi, but the price exceeded 40 million over a few short minutes. After more than 40 minutes of intense competition between prospective buyers, the painting went for a staggering 55.1 million yuan. With commission added, the actual price is nearly 62 million yuan.

Reigning in the early 12th century, Emperor Huizong was the eighth and one of the most famous emperors of the Song Dynasty of China. Huizong was artistic and extremely talented. He wrote poems of his own, was known as an avid painter, and created his own calligraphy style.

He assembled an entourage of court painters who were first subjected to an examination to qualify as official artists of the court, and made reforms to the music that was played at court. Like many learned men of his age, he was a polymath.

As a painter, he focused on the subjects of birds and flowers. The Depiction of Rare Fowls is considered one of the most accomplished pieces of his few surviving works.