An extraordinarily accomplished portrait of Soong Ching-ling (1893-1981), possibly the most influential Chinese woman in the 20th century and one of a few who were affiliated to both the KMT nationalist government, established by her husband Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), and the Communist PRC, becoming vice-president after 1949. As Beaton’s inscription explains, she was one of three highly influential sisters, one being married to Dr H. H. Kung, minister of finance, and the other to Chiang-Kai-shek, Sun Yat-sen’s successor as president. She became known as the ‘Mother of Modern China’ and shortly before her death was made Honorary President of the People’s Republic.
