A system and method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging system, in which the image depicts an image contrast indicative of rotary saturation produced in response to magnetic particles administered to the subject, are provided. An agent that includes magnetic particles is administered to the subject. An electromagnetic drive field is applied to the subject at a drive frequency so that the magnetic particles produce magnetic fields that oscillate at the drive frequency and harmonics thereof. A spin-lock field is then established at a spin-lock frequency that is a harmonic of the drive frequency in order to produce rotary saturation of nuclear spins affected by the magnetic fields produced by the magnetic particles. Image data is then acquired from the subject using the MRI system, from which an image of the subject that depicts an image contrast indicative of the produced rotary saturation is reconstructed.
