Zhen Wang, known as I-ting (courtesy name) and Bailongshanren (pseudonym), was born in Shanghai, China. Wang was a renowned artist during the beginning of Republic of China. He specialized in painting characters, birds, wild animals, landscape and also Buddha figures. He learned his painting skills from Xiang Xu (ca. 1850-?) and Bonian Ren (1840-1896) and worked with Changshuo Wu to promote the Shanghai School (a style of Chinese art centered in Shanghai in the late 19th century). Wang was also a successful businessman whose investment included business of insurance, banking and infrastructure. He is also known as a supporter, financially sustaining Hsinhai Revolution (a movement against the imperial power of Qing dynasty, 1911-1912) and other revolutionary movements. In 1920, when Albert Einstein (1879-1955) visited Shanghai, Wang was one of the members invited to the welcome party.