Wanrong, The Last Qing Empress of China

• Photographer
  Lisa Powers
• Agency / Studio
  Lisa Powers Photo Artist
• Photo Date
  2018-19

I was inspired to re-create a pictorial history of WanRong, the last Express of China who had a short and very tragic life. She had been educated in the US, spoke and wrote fluent English, and was very modern. She was chosen to marry Emperor PuYi at age just 16 and lived in the Forbidden City for only 3 years before the Japanese invaded China and forced PuYi and WanRong to leave. They were set up as Manchuko Emperors until the Chinese Communist guards invaded the province. PuYi fled but left his wife behind to be captured. WanRong died in prison at age 36 and her remains were never found.

Lisa Powers is French-born of French/Italian/British lineage. She moved to New York with her family when she was 10 years old and has lived in Manhattan, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Florence, Tokyo. Currently lives and works in New Zealand. Has work published in several international magazines and photography annuals. Worked with celebrities for movie posters and publicity; travelled extensively for Art&Antiques magazine editorials, and photographed fashion catalogues and ads, worked with musicians for CD covers and film directors for movie one-sheets and has won several prestigious awards.