Photographer John Thomson Left a Series of Works Depicting Portraits of Servants, Merchants, and Landlords in China Around 150 Years Ago.
A wealthy girl, photographed in Guangdong around 1870.
The collection of photographs is featured in the book “China and the Chinese”, published in England 150 years ago. John Thomson (1837-1921) was a Scottish geologist and explorer. He first arrived in Asia in 1862, traveling through India, Cambodia, and Thailand. In 1869, John Thomson returned to China and opened a photography studio.
Two girls from a family living on the water, who were then referred to as “Dan people.” From a young age, they learned to row boats and navigate the waters. According to DPM, John Thomson was part of the first group of Western photographers to live and work in China, with his works being highly regarded for their historical value and sociological significance.
An elderly woman carrying her grandchild, who were also residents of the water, living without houses on land. This group primarily lived in Guangdong, Fujian, and Guangxi. According to Sina, during the Ming dynasty, the Dan people were not allowed to take part in the imperial examinations and could not marry those living on land. Their status improved in later dynasties, and during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng, the court issued prohibitions against oppressing the Dan people.
A woman engaged in singing and dancing, photographed in Guangzhou around 1870. According to the photographer’s account in the book, during his work, he faced suspicion from many people who feared danger, and his camera was seen as a mysterious tool of evil. They believed that those photographed would suffer misfortune, which led John Thomson to undergo numerous challenges to capture images, especially of children.
A girl from a poor working-class family. Many times, John Thomson paid locals to allow him to take their portraits.
A servant girl in 1871. Servants were often sold into wealthy families from a young age at a low price, growing up within the household, serving the female members or taking care of children and doing housework.
Laborers in Fuzhou, 1871.
Portrait of a groom, taken in 1871.
Bride’s attire.
A merchant in Guangzhou, around 1870, whose job was to act as a trade broker between Westerners and Chinese. They were often hired by foreigners due to their good language skills. Those in this profession were closely monitored by the Qing dynasty authorities.
A landed gentleman – a term referring to a powerful landlord or an official who has resigned from office.
A man working as a constable – responsible for capturing criminals. The photo was taken in front of the constable’s house.
