"The Legacy of the Qing Palace" records that "after the middle period of Guangxu, Cixi suddenly loved calligraphy, learned to draw flowers and learn to write Chinese characters". Both the husband and son of Empress Dowager Cixi died young and lived alone for many years. Although she is supreme, overbearing and servile, and "Long live" resounds through the whole hall, she has still lived lonely and depressed for decades.
Life is not easy for her, and she has nothing to do, so she picks up her hobby of painting and calligraphy "like art" and studies painting diligently to get inner comfort and spiritual satisfaction.
Empress Dowager Cixi's painting and calligraphy foundation is not very good, but she is very talented. After a period of practice and exploration, she has made great progress. Especially during the Guangxu period, due to daily diligence, the level was significantly improved; Especially after she personally invited Miao Jiahui and other famous painters to the palace for guidance, she can be said to have made great achievements in painting and calligraphy.