People from Hong Kong

Artist or Author: John Thomson

Work: Illustrations of China and Its People

Date of Publication: 1873-1874

Style: Collotype

Paper Size:

Condition: The work is in good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Description of the work: This beautiful collotype is from Thomson's Illustrations of China and its People. It was published in London by Low, Marston, Low, and Searle between 1873 and 1874.

This plate is from the first edition of Thomson's magnum opus and provides a highly detailed visual record of life during late 19th century China. His intention, as he states in the introduction, was to "present a series of pictures of China dn its people, such as shall convey an accurate impression of the country I traversed as well as of the arts, usages and manners which prevail in different provinces of the Empire. With this intention, I made the camera the constant companion of my wanderings."

John Thomson (1837-1921) was a Scottish photographer and traveller. He was one of the first photographers to travel to the Far East and document life and scenes. With his work in the Far East completed by 1872, he returned to England and joined the Royal Photographic Society and in 1881, was appointed photographer to the British royal family by Queen Victoria.