Qing Dynasty Imperial Princess Ancestor Portrait Antique 17th Century Court Robe

Unusual and rare, this painting portrays an important early Chinese Qing Dynasty Imperial Princess or Imperial Court Lady, probably from the 17th-18th century as ancestor portraits were the norm for members of the court from that time.This lady wears a characteristic Ming Dynasty court robe in color blue decorated with four-clawed dragons (mang) and a tall head piece which shows her social status and noble class. Also, the hands and feet are hidden from the picture as that was the norm at the time for female portraits. Among one of the most notorious characteristics on this kind of portrait the face was portrayed with a somber and unattached look, in order to represent an otherworldly status.This piece appears to be from the early Qing period (17th century), because the technique utilized on this portrait fits the Bochen School style that was epitomized by the late-Ming figure painter Zeng Jing (1568-1650), He and his followers used light ink to outline the bone structure and features