Habit of a Lady of China in 1700

by Thomas Jefferys

This print depicts the delicate silhouette of an aristocratic lady from the Qing Dynasty in the eyes of a Western artist from the mid-eighteenth century. She is wearing a traditional Chinese Pao (long robe) with broad sleeves, distinguished by the fine embroidery and layered fabrics typical of a lady of high rank in that era.

It is clear from Jefferys’ description of his portrait that he found his model to be “exotic.” Her hair style with flowers and unique shoes are the main elements of her dress depicted in his artwork. This picture not only portrays a woman in a specific costume, but it also serves as a means of communication between the past and today – it is a bridge to the period when the influence of the Silk Road on the West reached its peak.