Photograph of Puyi, ex Emperor of China in a half length portrait, leaning on a table or balustrade, arms folded over, dressed in European clothes and spectacles; atmospheric 'moonlight' background. Signed by the sitter at bottom right. The photograph is bordered by Chinese script and bears the Emperor's seal on the left.

Puyi ruled as Xuantong Emperor from the age of 2 until his abdication in 1912 during the Xinhai Revolution. In 1917 he was restored to the throne and continued to rule until 1932 when he was declared Kang-te Emperor under the rule of a pro-Japanese government following the occupation of the Manchukuo region by the Japanese. According to his autobiography, the western name 'Henry' was given to Puyi by Reginald Johnston, the Emperor's English teacher.