Amoy (Xiamen), Fujian province, China: a husband and wife. Photograph by John Thomson, 1870-1871.

  • Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
Date:
1870-1871
Reference:
19748i
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About this work

Description

A young man and woman, seated. She is holding a fan and looking at him. Although this couple are sitting closely together, the husband looks away into the middle distance. In traditional China it was improper for a couple to face one other. It seems that the scene was set up by Thomson, but the couple look rather hesitant

Publication/Creation

1870-1871

Physical description

1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion

Lettering

Natives of China Bears Thomson's negative number: "746"

Notes

This is one of a collection of original glass negatives made by John Thomson. The negatives, made between 1868 and 1872, were purchased from Thomson by Sir Henry Wellcome in 1921

References note

China through the lens of John Thomson, 1868-1872, Beijing: Beijing World Art Museum, 2009, p. 108 (reproduced)

Reference

Wellcome Collection 19748i

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  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    By appointmentManual request

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