Canton (Guangzhou), Kwangtung (Guangdong) province, China: ancient Chuting stone memorial arch, Yuexiu mountain. Photograph by John Thomson, 1871.

  • Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
Date:
1871
Reference:
19864i
  • Pictures

Selected images from this work

View 2 images

About this work

Description

Situated in today's Yuexiu Park near the top of Yuexiu Mountain, this stone memorial arch was first erected in 1644 and then rebuilt in 1867 with the money donated by a group of Buddhist believers. The location was thought to be the historical site of Chuting, the ancient name for Guangzhou. Hence the arch was named the 'Ancient Chuting stone memorial arch'. This photograph was taken from the east side; the inscription reads "Yuexiu, the magnificent summit". On the staircase leading up to the arch are three beggars. As Thomson observed, in the late 19th century in major Chinese cities there was often "a motley crowd of beggars" loitering outside religious buildings. A man wearing spectacles, holding a fan, looks over the parapet in the top right corner.

Publication/Creation

1871

Physical description

1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion ; glass approximately 30.5 x 25.5 cm (12 x 10 in.)

Lettering

Macao, China Bears Thomson's negative number: "799"

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. 141 (reproduced)

Reference

Wellcome Collection 19864i

Languages

Where to find it

  • Box B7/2

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    By appointmentManual request

    Note

Permanent link