Page 24 - Fine Chinese Paintings, Asia Week Christies 2015

From The Collection of Reverend Isaac Taylor Headland

and Dr. Miriam Sinclair Headland

(Lots 419–432)

Reverend Isaac Taylor Headland (1859-1942) was an American missionary and accomplished scholar who went
to Beijing in 1880 and served as a professor at Peking University. While he was hired as professor of science,
he taught a wide range of subjects, all in Chinese. Reverend Headland was also instrumental in obtaining
books on foreign topics, especially technology, for Emperor Guangxu (1871-1908). His wife, Dr. Miriam
Sinclair Headland (1859-1953) served as head of the Presbyterian Women’s Hospital and then professor of
hygiene at Peking University. She served as physician to the mother and sister of Empress Dowager Cixi and
interacted frequently with many members of the royal family, both professionally and socially. Reverend
Headland’s language ability and experiences gained from living for 17 years in the capital of China during
a turbulent period resulted in numerous publications on a wide variety of topics. Furthermore, Reverend
Headland’s interest in Chinese culture led him to assemble a large collection of Chinese paintings and works
of art. Regarding his paintings, in addition to works from the Empress Dowager herself, Reverend Headland
collected classical works from earlier times and paintings made by contemporary artists living in the capital.
Chinese Works of Art from the Headland Collection will also be offered during this Asia Week.

何德蘭（1859-1942）是一位美國傳教士，1880年來到北京作為成就頗豐的學者在燕京大學留任當理科教授，中文
教學且課題範圍甚廣。何教士在為光緒皇帝收集外文課題，特別是科技書籍上亦有建樹。他的夫人何太太（1859-
1953）是教會女子醫院的院長，後任燕京大學衛生學教授，亦是慈禧太后母親及姐妹的內科醫生，在專業和社交
上皆與皇室成員交流頻繁。在動蕩時代的中國都城生活了十七年所積攢的語言能力和生活經驗，讓何德蘭大量出
版發表了多種多樣的課題。對中國文化的濃厚興趣使他收集了很多中國畫作和器物。在他的收藏中，除了來自慈
禧太后本人的畫作，還有一些早期傳統畫和居住在京城的當代藝術家們的作品。

Dr. Miriam Sinclair Headland (far right) with the Empress Dowager Cixi, Portrait of Reverend Isaac Taylor Headland
published in Court Life in China. painted by Zhao Ruilin in 1905
(family collection).
何德蘭夫人（最右）與慈禧太后
1905年由趙瑞麟所畫的何德蘭教
20 士畫像（家庭私人珍藏）