| Katerina Ilioni is significant as the only European woman, prior to the 19th century, for whom historical evidence exists of her presence in China proper. | | Katerina Ilioni is significant as the only European woman, prior to the 19th century, for whom historical evidence exists of her presence in China proper. |
− | Little is known about her, except that her father was a Venetian merchant, and the information contained on her tombstone, which survives in China. The tombstone bears a Latin inscription, along with images of haloed figures, including the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, and winged angels in the Christian fashion, as well as images more stylistically Chinese. A seal to the left of the Latin inscription bears the name of the Chinese artist who designed and/or carved the tombstone. | + | Little is known about her, except that her father was a Venetian merchant, and the information contained on her tombstone, which survives in the Chinese city of [[Yangzhou]], along with that of her brother. The tombstone bears a Latin inscription, along with images of haloed figures, including the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, and winged angels in the Christian fashion, as well as images more stylistically Chinese. A seal to the left of the Latin inscription bears the name of the Chinese artist who designed and/or carved the tombstone. |
| *Valerie Hansen, ''The Open Empire'', New York: W.W. Norton & Company (2000), 345-346. | | *Valerie Hansen, ''The Open Empire'', New York: W.W. Norton & Company (2000), 345-346. |