Original photographs of Chinese women from about 150 years ago are showcased in the exhibition “Women of That Era.”
According to The Paper, “Women of That Era: An Exhibition of 19th Century Chinese Women Photographs” is being held at the Yiyuxi Art Museum in Beijing, from March to June. The individuals in the photographs belong to the first group of Chinese women to be photographed. The collection includes a picture of four girls playing musical instruments from the 1870s.
Laborers rolling and sifting tea leaves, a photograph from the 1870s, measuring 27 cm wide. A total of 60 original photographs are on display. Photographer Li Xun, one of the event organizers, stated that over the past 20 years, she and her colleagues have collected photographs from various cities around the world, researched their origins, and selected 60 images to present to the audience. The museum and the photographers aim to help the audience gain a better understanding of the appearance, clothing, and occupations of women in the 19th century.
A photograph of a Fujian woman engaged in the tea business, taken at the World Fair held in Paris in 1867. This is the earliest known photograph of women involved in the tea industry in China.
A portrait of a girl captured by British photographer William Saunders. Between 1863 and 1888, William Saunders operated a photography studio in Shanghai, documenting many contemporary stories and cultural events.
A photograph of a girl holding a paper fan, taken around 1880.
A portrait of an aristocratic woman, taken in the 1880s. She is wearing a royal necklace – a type of necklace reserved for emperors, imperial consorts, and officials of the fourth rank and above during the Qing Dynasty.
The subject in the photograph represents various social classes, from commoners to noblewomen. The photograph “The Woman with Small Feet” was created in the 1880s, featuring a backdrop and room decor in Western style typical of photography studios at that time.
A photograph of two Fujian women in traditional clothing, captured by German photographer F. Schoenke. According to preserved documents, F. Schoenke was the first to open a photography studio in Fujian.
A photograph of three women enjoying tea, taken in the 1890s. They are dressed neatly, and the arrangement of their home and tea utensils indicates that they belong to a wealthy family. The photographers found documentation indicating that the photo was taken in Guangdong, featuring the three wives of a court official.
