Dowager Empress Cixi - (19) ~ by SaralynArati

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Many thanks, ubi!! All of her dresses were works of art! She was very much a lady of fashion, despite her advancing years. I can't even imagine her in something less than spectacular, haha!

7 years ago

ubetablieveit

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The design of this is so well done. The design on the dress is exquisite. The intricate details create a very pleasant visual. I truly appreciate the historical information. A pretty crown for this one.

7 years ago

SaralynArati

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Thanks extremely, NightOwl!! Looking critically at her headwear, now it seems more like a nightcap to me, but I tried. :)

8 years ago

NightOwl

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So awesome and great job on the aging! ACCURACY: 9 points. INTRICACY: 10 points. DESCRIPTION: 10 points. TOTAL: 29 points.

8 years ago

SaralynArati

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Thanks very much, launing!!! She was an extremely interesting, and apparently quite ruthless, woman!

8 years ago

launing

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Great!

8 years ago

SaralynArati

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Thank you so much, kittty and sanctuary!!! I was lucky enough to have photos of her to work from, and that really helped!

8 years ago

sanctuary

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Love the pattern on the dress and how you altered the face to make her look older.

8 years ago

kittty12

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sooo pretty , great old Lady :))))))))

8 years ago

SaralynArati

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As appeasement, she eventually implemented the reforms that she'd stopped her nephew from instituting. She continued to rule, her power much diminished, until her death in 1908. The Emperor Guangxu died as she was dying, reportedly poisoned at her direction. In addition to her part in the politics of her day, she's also remembered for her patronage of the arts including the opera, and the founding of the Peking Zoological Garden (1906), later the first zoo to breed the giant panda.

8 years ago

SaralynArati

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After China lost the Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895), Guangxu implemented many reforms. In reaction, Cixi worked with the military and conservative forces to stage a coup and take power again as active regent, confining the emperor to his palace. The next year, Cixi supported the forces behind the Boxer Rebellion, an anti-reform and anti-foreign rebellion. When foreign troops retaliated by entering the Forbidden City and capturing Beijing (Peking), Cixi accepted the offered peace terms.

8 years ago

SaralynArati

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Two years later, the young Tongzhi was dead, and his mother, it is rumored, had a part in the death. Cixi violated the normal succession and had her three year old nephew named the new heir. The two Dowager Empresses continued as regents until the death of Ci'an, the other Dowager Empress, in 1881, when Cixi became the de facto ruler of China. When Guangxu (Kuang-hsu), the nephew, attained maturity, Cixi retired to the country, although she kept herself informed through a network of spies.

8 years ago