Peking, Pechili province, China: Manchu ladies at a meal table. Photograph by John Thomson, 1869.

  • Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
Date:
1869
Reference:
19648i
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About this work

Description

Six seated women eating with chopsticks and bowls at a table in a courtyard. Two other women [servants?] standing. Right hand frame is crossed through with a large 'X'. The photograph shows a group of Manchu ladies enjoying a meal together in a courtyard. Thomson regarded himself extremely lucky for being admitted into 'the sacred precincts of the mysterious Chinese dwelling', where he had opportunity to gain some insights into the daily life of women in Beijing. His general impression of Manchu ladies was a favourable one: they did not compress their feet as their Chinese counterparts did, thus they could enjoy more freedom. Thomson was also impressed by their grace and beauty, and by their elegant and richly coloured dresses

Publication/Creation

1869

Physical description

1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion : stereograph

Lettering

Manchu ladies Peking Bears Thomson's negative number: "700"

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. 25 (reproduced)

Reference

Wellcome Collection 19648i

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