Empress Li Lingrong (Eastern Jin Dynasty), Stretched Canvas Print, Ready to Hang with D-Ring and Wires, Watercolor Art Floral, Chinese themed gift, Asian culture and history

Originally designed and painted on silk by Xiang Li, this artwork is printed on high-quality stretched or rolled canvas prints. Made with carefully hand-stretched fabric on a wooden frame, our prints will showcase your work in bright, stunning colors that will last for decades.

Printing Method: Giclee, Eco-Solvent Inkjet

Both framed and unframed canvas is ready to hang with D-ring already installed

Additional canvas prints, framed canvas, frame colors are available upon request.

Friendly suggestion: our mockups are created based on actual measurement. However, please carefully measure your space to ensure the paintings can fit and look accurately in your unique environment. Thank you!

About the empress: Li Lingrong (351 – August 9, 400), formally known as Empress Dowager Xiaowuwen, was a significant figure during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Born into a humble background, she initially served as a textile worker in the household of Sima Yu, the Prince of Kuaiji. Her life took a pivotal turn when a physiognomist identified her as destined to bear an heir. Consequently, she became Sima Yu's concubine and bore two sons: Sima Yao in 362 and Sima Daozi in 363. Sima Yao was later designated as the heir apparent.

In 371, Sima Yu ascended the throne as Emperor Jianwen, albeit his reign was brief, ending with his death in 372. Their son, Sima Yao, succeeded him as Emperor Xiaowu. Initially, out of respect for his father's deceased wife, Princess Wang, Emperor Xiaowu did not immediately honor Li Lingrong with the title of Empress Dowager. However, over time, she received progressively higher imperial consort titles, eventually being honored as Empress Dowager in 394.

During Emperor Xiaowu's reign, Empress Dowager Li's influence appeared limited, as power was largely in the hands of officials like Xie An until Emperor Xiaowu reached maturity. She was known for mediating conflicts between her sons, Emperor Xiaowu and Sima Daozi, who held significant authority as the emperor's brother and prime minister.

Following Emperor Xiaowu's assassination by his concubine in 396, his developmentally disabled son ascended the throne as Emperor An. Li Lingrong was then honored as Grand Empress Dowager in 397. She passed away on August 9, 400, and was mourned with ceremonies befitting an empress. Notably, she was not buried alongside Emperor Jianwen but was instead worshipped in the same temple as Emperor Jianwen's mother, Consort Zheng Achun.

Li Lingrong's journey from a servant of humble origin to the esteemed position of Grand Empress Dowager underscores her resilience and the complex dynamics of court life during the Eastern Jin Dynasty.