Portrait of Yongzheng Empress (1723–1735)
19th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
Image: 85 3/4 × 37 5/8 in. (217.8 × 95.6 cm) Overall with mounting: 85 3/4 x 37 5/8 in. (217.8 x 95.6 cm) Overall with knobs: 85 3/4 × 41 1/2 in. (217.8 × 105.4 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1942
Accession Number
42.141.4
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite hanging scroll portrays an empress from the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor (r. 1723–1735), a pivotal figure in China's Qing dynasty (16441911). Created by an unidentified artist in the 19th century, the work captures her regal poise in ink and color on silk, a traditional medium prized for its luminous sheen and ability to convey imperial splendor. Measuring over seven feet tall, this monumental format was designed for ceremonial display, unrolled in palaces or ancestral halls to honor the subject's enduring legacy. Qing imperial portraits like this one served vital cultural an...