Earliest Known Photographs of China Now on Display at Tsinghua
A new exhibition at the Tsinghua University Art Museum titled Vision and Reflection: Photographs of China in the 19th Century gives
visitors a glimpse of what Chinese life was like over one hundred years
ago. Compiled of 120 of the earliest known photographs of the Middle
Kingdom, these pictures of people, landscapes, and architecture capture
China at the end of the Qing dynasty and have never before been
exhibited in Beijing.
Taken by both Chinese and international
photographers, the snapshots capture intimate moments between subjects
as well as stunning and barren landscapes of some of Beijing's most
famous sights, some of which still stand to this day.
It is a grand feast of historical culture and artistic aesthetics for the public.
In
a press release for the event, the first photography exhibition held by
Tsinghua University Art Museum since its establishment, vice director
of the museum Su Dan says,
“Its unique theme and precious works make it a must-see exhibition for
scholars who are interested in literature, history, folklore, and
architecture. It is also a grand feast of historical culture and
artistic aesthetics for the public.”
The photographs are only a fraction of the New York-based private Stephan Loewentheil China Photography Collection
(loewentheilcollection.com), which in total includes 13,000 photographs
that comprise some of the rarest paper photographs of Beijing,
Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Below is a small selection of the photographs on display:
Vision and Reflection: Photographs of China in the 19th Century is on show until Mar 31. Admission to the museum is RMB 20.
Beijing is full of arts and cultural exhibitions. Scan/Extract QR code below for a comprehensive and up-to-date list of shows:
Photos courtesy of Stephan Loewentheil China Photography Collection
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