# Katherine A. Carl — With the Empress Dowager of China character guide

> Katherine A. Carl in With the Empress Dowager of China by Katharine A. Carl.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Katharine A. Carl, Carl

**First appearance:** 0002-with-the-empress-dowager-of-china

## Snapshot

An American portraitist summoned to Peking on a diplomatic whim, she enters the Forbidden City expecting one sitting and finds a world.

## Who they are

Invited by Mrs. Conger to paint the Empress Dowager for the St. Louis Exposition, she arrives knowing nothing of court protocol and everything to lose. Her position is precarious: a foreign woman with a brush, dependent on the moods of a ruler she has been warned to fear. Her painter's eye becomes the reader's, and her slow discovery that the Empress is nothing like the rumors is the engine of the book.

## In the story

### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/dedication)

The author, dedicating her book.

### [Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/introductory)

The author and artist, invited to paint the Empress Dowager's portrait, who decides to publish her account to correct false statements.

### [With the Empress Dowager of China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/with-the-empress-dowager-of-china)

The author and narrator, an American artist who is a guest in the palace and provides a unique, foreign perspective on the Chinese court.

### [I: My Presentation and First Day at the Chinese Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/i-my-presentation-and-first-day-at-the-chinese-court)

The narrator and artist, arriving for her first audience and beginning the portrait of the Empress Dowager.

### [II: Personal Appearance of Her Majesty—A Chinese Repast—Boating](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/ii-personal-appearance-of-her-majesty-a-chinese-repast-boating)

Eager to work on the portrait; critically observes the Empress Dowager's appearance; begins painting the face; enjoys the Chinese meal and boating.

### [III: The Palace of the Emperor’s Father (Prince Ch’un, the Seventh Prince)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/iii-the-palace-of-the-emperor-s-father-prince-ch-un-the-seventh-prince)

Narrator and resident of the palace; explores the grounds and observes Chinese customs.

### [IV: Her Majesty’s Throne-Room—Some Personal Characteristics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/iv-her-majesty-s-throne-room-some-personal-characteristics)

The author and portrait artist. She describes the Throne-Room, works on the portrait, and observes the Empress Dowager's behavior. She is the recipient of the Empress Dowager's favor during the garden walk.

### [V: The Young Empress and Ladies of the Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/v-the-young-empress-and-ladies-of-the-court)

The author and observer, who learns about the court ladies and their relationships from Sih-Gerga.

### [VI: Continuation of the Portrait—Her Majesty’s Dogs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/vi-continuation-of-the-portrait-her-majesty-s-dogs)

Carl works on the portrait, observes the Empress and court life, and forms a bond with a Pekingese puppy.

### [VII: Festivities at Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/vii-festivities-at-court)

The author, who is invited to stay for the celebrations and observes the customs and events.

### [VIII: His Majesty the Emperor Kwang-Hsu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/viii-his-majesty-the-emperor-kwang-hsu)

The author and observer, who presents her personal impressions of the Emperor.

### [IX: The Emperor’s Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/ix-the-emperor-s-birthday)

Attends the birthday celebrations as the first foreigner to witness such an event, making European salutations to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

### [Peking—The Sea Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/x-peking-the-sea-palace)

Visits the American Legation and the Sea Palace, observing the Empress Dowager's customs and the palace grounds.

### [XI: Some Characteristics of Her Majesty—Second Visit to the Sea Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xi-some-characteristics-of-her-majesty-second-visit-to-the-sea-palace)

Narrator and observer, fascinated by the Empress Dowager, learning to use chopsticks, and participating in palace life.

### [XII: Return to the Summer Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xii-return-to-the-summer-palace)

Expresses desire to work more on the portrait, appreciates the intimacy of sittings, and enjoys the Empress Dowager's company and the beauty of the palace.

### [XIII: The Steam-Launch—Semiannual Sacrifices to Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xiii-the-steam-launch-semiannual-sacrifices-to-confucius)

Observes the lake excursions and the Confucian ceremony, is drawn into the temple by the Empress, and examines the altar after the service.

### [XIV: The Palace Eunuchs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xiv-the-palace-eunuchs)

The author and narrator, who observes and describes the eunuchs' hierarchy and customs, offering her personal impressions and experiences with them.

### [XV: The Literary Tastes and Accomplishments of the Empress Dowager](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xv-the-literary-tastes-and-accomplishments-of-the-empress-dowager)

Observer who recounts the Empress Dowager's literary and personal traits.

### [XVI: The Great Audience Hall—Some Official Customs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xvi-the-great-audience-hall-some-official-customs)

The author and narrator, providing observations on the customs and layout of the Audience Hall.

### [XVII: The Summer Palace and Its Grounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xvii-the-summer-palace-and-its-grounds)

The narrator, observing and describing the Summer Palace and its grounds.

### [XVIII: The Festival of the Harvest Moon—Work on the Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xviii-the-festival-of-the-harvest-moon-work-on-the-portrait)

The author and artist, who struggles with the constraints of Chinese artistic tradition but remains fascinated by the Empress Dowager's personality.

### [XIX: A Garden Party at the Summer Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xix-a-garden-party-at-the-summer-palace)

Embarrassed about her role at the reception, follows the Empress Dowager's suggestion to meet Mrs. Conger and enter the Throne-room with her.

### [XX: I Begin a Second Portrait of Her Majesty—The Palace Painters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xx-i-begin-a-second-portrait-of-her-majesty-the-palace-painters)

Begins a second portrait of the Empress Dowager, observes the palace painters' methods, and plays dance music for the Empress Dowager.

### [XXI: A European Circus at the Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxi-a-european-circus-at-the-palace)

The narrator, delighted at the prospect of a European circus, observes the Empress Dowager's reactions and the young princes.

### [Palace Customs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxii-palace-customs)

The author observes and recounts the Empress Dowager's customs, including her posing for portraits after audiences.

### [Her Majesty's Anxiety—Her Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxiii-her-majesty-s-anxiety-her-birthday)

Observes the Empress Dowager's anxiety and the birthday preparations, noting the contrast with the Emperor's birthday.

### [XXIV: The Winter Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxiv-the-winter-palace)

Describes the move to the Winter Palace, the reception ceremony, and her disappointment with the poorly lit studio.

### [XXV: Peking—Beginning the Portrait for St. Louis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxv-peking-beginning-the-portrait-for-st-louis)

The author and artist, who begins the portrait for St. Louis, struggles with the Empress Dowager's pose and lighting issues, and eventually sets up a new studio.

### [XXVI: Some Social Customs—Manchu and Chinese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxvi-some-social-customs-manchu-and-chinese)

Observes and describes the social customs, including the presentation of brides and the status of Manchu women.

### [XXVII: Present-Giving in China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxvii-present-giving-in-china)

Carl is the recipient of the Empress Dowager's gifts and provides a detailed account of the presents, including clothing and a hat, and reflects on the Empress Dowager's thoughtfulness.

### [XXVIII: Some Winter Days at the Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxviii-some-winter-days-at-the-palace)

Works on the portrait, adapts to the cold, and participates in palace customs.

### [XXIX: Religious Rites in China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxix-religious-rites-in-china)

Observes and describes the religious rites and ceremonies, providing a Western perspective on Chinese religious practices.

### [Her Majesty the Empress Dowager](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxx-her-majesty-the-empress-dowager)

The author and narrator, who provides the account of the Empress Dowager's life and the events described in the chapter.

### [XXXI: The Empress Dowager’s Charities, Sense of Justice, Extravagance, and Personal Characteristics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxi-the-empress-dowager-s-charities-sense-of-justice-extravagance-and-personal-characteristics)

The author and observer, providing personal insights into the Empress Dowager's character and actions.

### [XXXII: The Chinese New Year—Official Audience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxii-the-chinese-new-year-official-audience)

Continues working on the portrait, adapting to the move to the Sea Palace and the new studio. She observes the New Year festivities and the official audience.

### [XXXIII: Continuation of the St. Louis Portrait—Spring Days at the Sea Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxiii-continuation-of-the-st-louis-portrait-spring-days-at-the-sea-palace)

Works on the portrait, agrees to finish by April 19th, observes spring scenes, and witnesses the Emperor's plowing ceremony.

### [XXXIV: Finishing and Sending Off the Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxiv-finishing-and-sending-off-the-portrait)

The artist who painted the portrait and hosted the viewings in her studio.

### [XXXV: Return to the Summer Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxv-return-to-the-summer-palace)

The author, who is painting portraits, expresses frustration about the portrait's display and reflects on her time at the Palace.

### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations)

Poses in Chinese clothing and is author of the portrait of the Empress Dowager.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/endnotes)

Author of the endnotes, providing personal observations and clarifications.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/katherine_a_carl
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters