FROM THE COLLECTION OF REVEREND ISAAC TAYLOR HEADLAND AND DR. MIRIAM SINCLAIR HEADLAND Reverend Isaac Taylor Headland (1859-1942) was an American missionary and accomplished scholar who went to Beijing in 1880 and served as a professor at Peking University. While he was hired as professor of science, he taught a wide range of subjects, all in Chinese. Reverend Headland was also instrumental in obtaining books on foreign topics, especially technology, for Emperor Guangxu (1871-1908). His wife, Dr. Miriam Sinclair Headland (1859-1953) served as head of the Presbyterian Women's Hospital and then professor of hygiene at Peking University. She served as physician to the mother and sister of Empress Dowager Cixi and interacted frequently with many members of the royal family, both professionally and socially. Reverend Headland's language ability and experiences gained from living for 17 years in the capital of China during a turbulent period resulted in numerous publications on a wide variety of topics. Furthermore, Reverend Headland's interest in Chinese culture led him to assemble a large collection of Chinese paintings and works of art. Regarding his paintings, in addition to works from the Empress Dowager herself, Reverend Headland collected classical works from earlier times and paintings made by contemporary artists living in the capital. Chinese Works of Art from the Headland Collection will be offered at Christie's during this Asia Week.

EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908)

PLUM BLOSSOMS

Details

EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI (1835-1908)
PLUM BLOSSOMS
Hanging scroll, ink on paper
Inscribed and signed by the artist, with three seals
Colophon by Wu Shumei (1845-1912), with one seal
Dated jiawu year of the Guangxu era (1894)
One collector's seal of Reverend Issac Taylor Headland (1859-1942)
17 1/2 x 8 in. (44 x 20.5 cm.)

Literature

Isaac Taylor Headland, Court Life in China, New York, 1909, unnumbered plate.

Brought to you by

Elizabeth Hammer

chinesepaintingsny@christies.com 212 636 2195

Lot Essay

Wu Shumei (1845-1912) was a high ranking court official who served in the illustrious Hanlin Academy and Grand Secretariat. The Guangxu Emperor assigned Wu Shumei to act as education commissioner in turbulent Hunan province and there he favored using traditional Confucian tenets to insure stability.

More from Fine Chinese Paintings

View All