"Empresses in the Qing dynasty played an influential role in the imperial court and the cosmopolitan culture of their time. Offering compelling insights into the material culture, activities, and living spaces of Qing empresses, this lavishly illustrated book features over one hundred spectacular works of art from the Palace Museum in Beijing--including large-scale portraits, court robes, and richly decorated Buddhist sutras--that bring the splendor of the Qing court to life. A series of insightful essays examines the fascinating ways that key imperial women engaged with art, religion, and politics. This unprecedented exploration of the Qing court from the perspective of its top-ranked women is an important new contribution to our understanding of Chinese art and history"-- Provided by publisher.