With the Empress Dowager of China · Chapter
XX: I Begin a Second Portrait of Her Majesty—The Palace Painters explained
The Empress Dowager decides that the first portrait is advanced enough for her sixteen characters and seals to be added.
What happens
The Empress Dowager decides that the first portrait is advanced enough for her sixteen characters and seals to be added. While this is being deliberated, Katherine begins a second, more informal portrait of the Empress Dowager in ordinary dress, with her dogs Shadza and Hailo. Katherine also discovers the palace's corps of painters, who work on lanterns, scenery, and flowers, and observes their methods. The chapter also includes a visit to the Great Audience Hall where the Empress Dowager watches the Yu-Keng ladies and Katherine dance, finding the custom of dancing oneself strange.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Representation
The chapter contrasts Western and Chinese painting methods, discusses the formal requirements of an official portrait versus an informal one, and highlights the role of the Empress Dowager's court painters.
East-West Encounter
The Empress Dowager's reaction to Western dancing and the piano highlights cultural differences in entertainment and social customs.
Observation and Interpretation
Katherine observes the palace painters from behind her curtains, and the Empress Dowager interprets the act of dancing as something to be watched rather than performed.
Characters to notice
- Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi
Decides on the placement of her sixteen characters and seals on the first portrait, commissions a second informal portrait, and expresses curiosity about Western dancing.
- Katherine A. Carl
Begins a second portrait of the Empress Dowager, observes the palace painters' methods, and plays dance music for the Empress Dowager.
- Hailo
The Empress Dowager's dusky dog, who is painted in the second portrait wearing a 'gala costume' of chrysanthemums.
- Lady Yu-Keng
Her daughters play the piano and waltz for the Empress Dowager in the Great Audience Hall.
- Young Prince Adalbert of Prussia
Not mentioned in this chapter.
Key passages
“Some are very clever flower painters, and one even paints portraits, but they have never seen the Empress Dowager except from afar!”
The palace painters, despite their skill, have only ever seen the Empress Dowager from a distance.
Highlights the extreme seclusion of the Empress Dowager from even her own court officials.
“It was amusing to see these dignified, handsomely gowned officials being hurried out of the court on Her Majesty’s approach by the eunuchs who precede her.”
Katherine found it funny to watch the high-ranking painters being rushed away by eunuchs whenever the Empress Dowager approached.
Illustrates the absolute authority of the Empress Dowager and the lowly status of even high-ranking officials in her presence.
“She said that was her prerogative, but she added, “If you were a man you would win it, and probably a yellow jacket also, for you are fearless.””
The Empress Dowager said that only she could grant the peacock feather, but added that if Katherine were a man, she would earn it and more for her bravery.
Shows the Empress Dowager's respect for Katherine's courage and her awareness of gender roles.
“She said the Chinese pay others to dance for them, and would not think of doing so themselves for pleasure.”
The Empress Dowager explained that in China, people hire dancers to perform, as they do not see dancing as a personal pleasure.
Reveals a fundamental difference in cultural attitudes towards dance and entertainment.
