Artist: Yuri Elperin

Wu Zetian Dream

武则天之梦

sculpture/painting

72 x 48 x 9 inches

2020

Wu Zetian ( ruled 690 – 705 CE), personal name Wu Zhao, was the empress regnant, and only ruler of the (Wu) Zhou dynasty. She had previously held power as the second wife and empress consort of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty and as empress dowager during the reigns of her sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong of Tang, holding de facto power during these periods starting in 660. She was the only female sovereign in the history of China who is widely regarded as illegitimate. During her 45-year tenure, China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized, and corruption in the court was reduced. She was eventually removed from power during the Shenlong Coup,and died a few months later.

武则天（公元690年—705年在位），本名武照（登基后为自己创造的新名字武曌），是武周王朝（690年—705年）的女皇，也是该王朝唯一的统治者。她曾是唐高宗的第二位妻子和皇后，并在其子唐中宗和唐睿宗在位期间担任皇太后，自公元660年起掌握权力。她是中国历史上唯一一位通过正统程序登基称帝的女皇帝。在她的统治期间，中国国力强盛，跻身世界强国之列，文化和经济得到复兴，宫廷权力也得到精简。最终，她在神龙政变中被废黜，数月后去世。