Spotlight on National Treasures 2025-II

中畫000323-5
Ink and colors on silk
Certified National Treasure

In imperial Chinese society, the lineage of emperors is often clearly defined, but when it came to their consorts, an emperor could have more than one empress. “Biographies of Empresses and Concubines” in the official History of the Song records two empresses for Emperor Gaozong (1107-1187, reigned 1127-1162) in the Southern Song period. His first consort, Empress Xing (1106-1139), was captured along with most of the Northern Song court in 1127, taken prisoner to the north, but later conferred as empress after Gaozong ascended the throne. Not until 1142 did he learn of her death. Thus, the lady in the portrait here is probably Empress Wu (1115-1197), who was conferred as Gaozong’s empress in 1142.

中畫000323-5
Ink and colors on silk
Certified National Treasure

Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song period (1127-1194, reigned 1162-1189), the adopted son of Emperor Gaozong, had three empresses. Xiaozong’s Empress Guo (1126-1156) and Empress Xia (?-1167) both died when young. Judging from the older appearance of the person in the portrait here, she is thus probably Empress Xie (?-1203), who lived to an older age. In 1176, the retired emperor Gaozong issued an edict to make her empress.