Peonies Blossom
in the Imperial Garden

One of the most powerful figures during the late Qing dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908), was fond of the imperial garden and the plethora of flowers found within. A patron of the arts, the Empress Dowager was known to have an affinity for painting, especially those with floral motifs. The hanging scroll Peonies, which is attributed to her, demonstrates one of the ways in which she was influenced by her natural surroundings. As the subject of this hanging scroll, the peony represents wealth, rank, and honour.

Beyond artwork, Empress Dowager Cixi also favoured symbolic designs on her informal robes, also known as chenyi. The patterns shown on Embroidered Silk Robe for the Dowager Empress — peonies and phoenixes — represent a high imperial position, alluding to Cixi’s potential ownership. The peony motif on the robe includes lush and colourful blue, white, and purple blossoms with forked leaves. The popularity of the peony motif influenced fashion and art beyond the imperial court.