Di Renjie, courtesy name Huaiying (懷英), formally Duke Wenhui of Liang (梁文惠公), was a Chinese politician of the Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties, twice serving as chancellor during the reign of Wu Zetian. He was one of the most celebrated officials of Wu Zetian's reign. Di Renjie is depicted in the Wu Shuang Pu by Jin Guliang.
Di Renjie
As depicted in the album Portraits of Famous Men c. 1900, housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Di Renjie's tomb in White Horse Temple Inscription on tombstone: Tomb of Lord Di Renjie, famous chancellor of the Great Tang dynasty
Wu Zetian, personal name Wu Zhao, was Empress of China from 660 to 705, ruling first through others and then in her own right. She ruled first as empress consort, through her husband Emperor Gaozong and then as an empress dowager, through her sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, from 660 to 690, not unprecedented in Chinese history. She subsequently founded and ruled as female emperor of the Wu Zhou dynasty of China from 690 to 705. She was the only female sovereign in the history of China widely regarded as legitimate. Under her 45-year reign, 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 a coup and died a few months later.
Wu Zetian as depicted in An 18th century album of portraits of 86 emperors of China, with Chinese historical notes (British Library)
A painting portraying Emperor Taizong of Tang by painter Yan Liben (c. 600–673).
A depiction of Wu, from Empress Wu of the Zhou, published circa 1690
A depiction of Emperor Gaozong of Tang from An 18th century album of portraits of 86 emperors of China, with Chinese historical notes