Peking, Pechili province, China: a mother with two children. Photograph by John Thomson, 1869.

A woman holding an infant, who wears a cowled hood, next to them a small boy, eating. All are standing in the street in front of a light-toned screen. John Thomson described the streets of Beijing as 'highly picturesque and interesting', and the people formed an essential part of its charm. In many photographs he showed much sympathy for the poor. Here a woman is holding a child in her arms; next to her, looking away from the camera, stands a boy eating a piece of pastry. Thomson met them in front of a butcher’s shop while touring the Qianmen area of the city. They are dressed in plain but warm and clean clothing, outfits that indicate they are not from a wealthy family