This rare ethnographic painting was executed around 1906 by an Chinese Artist, signed in Chinese.

The image shows a historical painting from 1906 depicting Chinese Qing Dynasty Empress Dowager Cixi accompanying her court procession at an arched bridge.

Behind the Empress is a group of court ladies and officials (Mandarins) in traditional dress ascend a white stone arched bridge, while a boat can be seen on the water in the background.

•  The artwork dates from around 1906 and depicts ethnographic aspects of imperial Chinese court life.

For comparison see fully identical Illustration  from the French magazine Je sais tout of March 15, 1906 (No. 14) with the caption “M. Tszu-Hsi dans ses jardins” (Empress Tszu-Hsi / Cixi in her gardens), depicting a court around the Chinese Empress on a bridge in the Summer Palace.

Provenance: French private estate.

Inscription: signed in Chinese and dated 1906 lower left , on the  reverse of stretsher - old illegibly stamp (of painter or canvas producer ).

Technique: oil on canvas, framed.

Measurements: unframed  : 19 2/3" x 26"  (50 x 66 cm), framed 26 1/2" x 32 " (67,5  x 81,5 cm).

Condition: in good condition