A painting by Wang Xuetao from Rong's former collection on show. [Photo provided to China Daily]

One such book, Investigation of Inscriptions on Ancient Bronzes, was first published in 1923. Its manuscript, now in the collection of Institute of Ancient Writing of Sun Yat-sen University, is also on display at the exhibition.

Late historian and expert of ancient Chinese writing Li Xueqin once said the book is "a work of authority" and another of Rong's books, A General Examination on Bronzes of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, first published in 1941, is "hardly rivaled even till today" in terms of the extent and scope of its content.

Shao Dazhen, a professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, says the exhibition best conveys not only the knowledgeable breadth Rong achieved, but also, his open-minded spirit, which is key to encouraging exploration and to discovering people of talent.