Bidspirit auction | Calligraphy,by Empress Dowager Cixi

Calligraphy,by Empress Dowager Cixi - Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908), also known as the West Dowager Empress, of the Yehe Nara clan, was a consort of the Xianfeng Emperor, mother of the Tongzhi Emperor, and the de facto ruler of the late Qing Empire. Though best known for her political influence, Cixi was also deeply involved in art patronage and cultural activities. She dominated artistic taste within the Qing court, showing particular fondness for Peking opera, painting, and decorative arts. She frequently commissioned court painters to produce works aligned with her preferences—often rich and auspicious themes such as flowers and mythical creatures, rendered in a lavish and detailed manner. While many calligraphic and painting works bearing her name were executed by court artists, they reflected her ornate aesthetic sensibility. She also promoted Peking opera, organizing frequent performances and forming what became known as “Cixi’s opera troupe.” In her later years, she developed an interest in photography, leaving behind a significant collection of court portraits. Her artistic engagements served both as personal refinement and as a medium of cultural and political expression in the late Qing era.