VI

The Empress Dowager--As an Artist

There is no genre that the Chinese artist has not attempted. They
have treated in turn mythological, religious and historical
subjects of every kind; they have painted scenes of daily
familiar life, as well as those inspired by poetry and romance;
sketched still life, landscapes and portraits. Their highest
achievements, perhaps, have been in landscapes, which reveal a
passionate love for nature, and show with how delicate a charm,
how sincere and lively a poetic feeling, they have interpreted
its every aspect. They have excelled too at all periods in the
painting of animals and birds, especially of birds and flying
insects in conjunction with flowers.
--S. W. Bushell in "Chinese Art."



VI

THE EMPRESS DOWAGER--AS AN ARTIST

One day the head eunuch from the palace of the Princess Shun
called at our home to ask Mrs. Headland to go and see the
Princess. While sitting in my study and looking at the Chinese
paintings hanging on the wall, two of which were from the brush
of Her Majesty, he remarked: