Empress Dowager Cixi (Qing Dynasty), Fine Art Print, Chinese watercolor on silk, shar pei, shar pei dog, puppy

Please note: Photo shown in this listing is a mockup with the art print. Please note that different sizes may vary slightly in the details included in each print.

Frame shown in the image is for demo purpose only and will not be included in this purchase. 

Bleed/Borders: All our art prints come with a 0.25 white boarder for easy matting and framing. If you desire a different bleed/border setup, please let us know when you order this item and we can prepare it for you including no bleed (no border), 0.5 or 1 inch border per your request. 

Our prints vs our canvases: 

Our Prints: Our cropped print series brings each empress up close — showcasing her unique gaze, symbolic colors, and timeless strength. Perfect for smaller spaces and meaningful gifts.

Our Canvas: For the full experience of each empress’s story, our canvas prints preserve the original scroll-inspired design — from elaborate headpieces to flowing robes. A museum-quality piece for your home.

About the empress: 

Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) was a dominant figure in the late Qing Dynasty and played a crucial role in the lives of both the Guangxu Emperor and the last emperor, Puyi. She arranged the marriage between the Guangxu Emperor and Empress Xiaodingjing, her niece, consolidating her family's influence. Although the Guangxu Emperor officially ruled, Cixi maintained tight control over state affairs and ultimately sidelined him due to his reformist ideas, keeping power firmly in her hands.

Before her death in 1908, Cixi named the toddler Puyi as the next emperor, ensuring a young ruler who could be easily managed. This decision marked the last phase of Qing rule, as the dynasty fell just a few years later in 1912. Cixi’s legacy of resisting reforms is often seen as a key factor in the decline of the Qing Dynasty, linking her to the turbulent lives of both Empress Xiaodingjing and Puyi.