China: Through the Lens of John Thomson (1868-1872)

September 19, 2015 – February 14, 2016

Museum Information

As a foreigner, Thomson’s ability to gain access to photograph women was particularly remarkable.

Location

Public Programs

The museum is located at the corner of 21st and G streets, NW, four blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines).

For directions and parking information, visit museum.gwu.edu/plan-visit.

For the most up-to-date list of the museum’s educational programs, visit museum.gwu.edu/calendar.

Hours Monday, Wednesday–Friday: 11:30 AM–6:30 PM; Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday: 1–5 PM, Closed Tuesdays and university holidays.

Admission $8 suggested donation for non-members. Free for museum members, children, and current GW students, faculty, and staff.

Accessibility The museum is wheelchair accessible and designated garage parking is available nearby.

Visit museum.gwu.edu/accessibility for more information.

Museum Shop Visit the shop for unique jewelry, home décor, books, and gifts from Washington, D.C., and around the world.

Exhibition Tours Free walk-in tours highlighting selections from current exhibitions are offered each Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM (textile tour) and 2:30 PM (Washingtoniana tour).

To schedule a docent-led tour for groups of six to forty people, call 202-994-5578 at least four weeks in advance.

Join or Donate Support from members and donors is the driving force that allows the museum to continue its work bringing art, history, and culture alive for the GW community and the public. To join or renew a current membership, or to make a donation, visit museum.gwu.edu/support or call 202-994-5579.

Stay in Touch Follow the museum online for more information about works on view, programs, and behind-thescenes activities.

Arthur D. Jenkins Library

@GWTextileMuseum

The reading room is open Wednesday– Thursday 1–4 PM and by appointment.

Please contact the librarian before your visit at museumlibrary@gwu.edu.

TextileMuseum GWMuseum Textile-Museum.tumblr.com

Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies With the museum’s Washingtoniana Collection as a centerpiece, the center engages students, scholars, and the public in research and educational programs pertaining to our nation’s capital.

Cover: A Manchu Lady After Having her Face Painted, Beijing, 1871–72. Wellcome Library, London.

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum 701 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052 202-994-5200 | museum.gwu.edu

The museum wishes to thank the following supporters and partners: Top: Seated Manchu Lady Wearing a Coiffure, Beijing,

Above: A Manchu Bride, Beijing, 1871–72. Wellcome

1871–72. Wellcome Library, London.

Library, London.

E. Rhodes and LEONA B. CARPENTER FOUNDATION

Left top: A Junk (detail), Guangdong

这是苏格兰摄影师约翰·汤姆逊

Province, Guangzhou, 1869–71. Wellcome

(1837–1921)

Library, London.

关于中国专题的首次

展览。汤姆逊生于爱丁堡，在他出生

Left bottom: An Amoy Couple, Fujian,

两年之后，摄影术的始祖—

1870–71. Wellcome Library, London.

银版照

相法问世。1862年，汤姆逊首次游历

Below center: Rank badge, China, mid-19th century. The Textile Museum 1973.28.4.

亚洲，并开办了一家专业照相馆。汤

Given in memory of their parents,

姆逊深深地被当地文化所感染，于是

Charles G. and Marian B. Woodbury,

在1868年再次返回，迁居香港，并在

by Richard B. Woodbury, Mrs. Meylon H.

1868至1872年间游历了广东、福建、

Hepp and Charles B. Woodbury.

北京，以及华东和华北地区，然后南

Below: A Mandarin Official, 1869.

下长江流域，行程近八千公里。本次

Wellcome Library, London.

展出的作品就是他此行所拍摄的。 拍摄这些照片使用的是早期摄影

T

术，即要于曝光前在玻璃版上涂布乳

his is the first exhibition devoted

These were the early days of photography,

to the images of China taken by the

when negatives were made on glass

Scottish photographer John Thomson

plates that had to be coated with emulsion

All images in the exhibition are from the

Woman’s Jacket,

胶剂，因此摄影师需要随身携带大量

Wellcome Library’s collection in London.

China, mid-19th century,

的笨重设备。汤姆逊凭着坚韧不拔的

This exhibition presents a selection of

The Textile Museum 1985.33.267. Gift of

毅力和强健的体魄，拍摄了大量不同

(1837–1921). Born in Edinburgh two years

before exposure. A cumbersome mass of

Thomson’s photographs displayed alongside

The Florence Eddowes

题材的照片，包括风光、人物、建

before the invention of the daguerreotype

equipment was required, but with persever-

contemporaneous pieces from The Textile

Morris Collection,

筑、家庭和市井生活等。作为一个外

and the birth of photography, Thomson first

ance and energy, Thomson captured a

Museum’s collection of late Qing-dynasty

Goucher College.

Below: Thomson with

travelled to Asia in 1862, where he set up a

wide variety of images: landscapes, people,

garments, accessories, and furnishings.

professional photographic studio. Fascinated

architecture, and domestic and street scenes.

The colorful textiles help bring Thomson's

by local cultures, Thomson returned in 1868

As a foreigner, his ability to gain access

powerful black-and-white images to life.

and settled in Hong Kong. Over the next four

to photograph women was particularly

years he made extensive trips to Guangdong,

remarkable.

Fujian, Beijing, China’s north-east and down

What marked Thomson’s photographs

Two Manchu Soldiers, Fujian Province, Xiamen,

国人，更难能可贵的是，他还设法拍 摄到了大量中国妇女的照片。 汤姆逊的这组中国照片在影像质

1871. Wellcome Library,

量、内容深刻性、题材广泛性和作品

London.

艺术性等各方面都达到了新的高度， 汤姆逊本人也因此成为纪实摄影的先 驱和那个时代最具影响力的摄影家。

the great river Yangzi. This exhibition is drawn

as special (portraits of the rich and famous

from his time in these regions.

aside) was the desire to present a faithful

讲座和发表文章向公众介绍中国的情

account of China and its people. Thomson’s

况。1920年，他致函著名药剂师、慈

excellent work in China established him

善家和收藏家亨利·维尔康姆，希望

as a serious pioneer of photojournalism and

出售自己拍摄的玻璃底版，但这个愿

one of the most influential photographers

望在其生前却未能实现。1921年，维

of his generation.

尔康姆从汤姆逊的继承人手中购买了

After returning to Britain, Thomson took up an active role informing the public about China through illustrated lectures

回到英国后，汤姆逊积极地举办

这些底版。本次展出的作品均出自伦 敦的维尔康姆图书馆。 我们希望通过展览给大家展示出这

and publications. In 1920, he wrote to Henry

批中国照片拍摄题材的多样性。与那

Wellcome—pharmacist, philanthropist and

些拍摄达官显贵肖像的摄影师不同，

collector—offering to sell his glass negatives.

汤姆逊致力于记录真实的中国和中国

Thomson died before the transaction could

人。通过拍摄其他人很少触及的各种

be completed, and Wellcome bought

平凡市井影像，汤姆逊向观众展现了

the negatives from Thomson’s heirs in 1921.

中国人的日常生活。

Left top: A Junk (detail), Guangdong

这是苏格兰摄影师约翰·汤姆逊

Province, Guangzhou, 1869–71. Wellcome

(1837–1921)

Library, London.

关于中国专题的首次

展览。汤姆逊生于爱丁堡，在他出生

Left bottom: An Amoy Couple, Fujian,

两年之后，摄影术的始祖—

1870–71. Wellcome Library, London.

银版照

相法问世。1862年，汤姆逊首次游历

Below center: Rank badge, China, mid-19th century. The Textile Museum 1973.28.4.

亚洲，并开办了一家专业照相馆。汤

Given in memory of their parents,

姆逊深深地被当地文化所感染，于是

Charles G. and Marian B. Woodbury,

在1868年再次返回，迁居香港，并在

by Richard B. Woodbury, Mrs. Meylon H.

1868至1872年间游历了广东、福建、

Hepp and Charles B. Woodbury.

北京，以及华东和华北地区，然后南

Below: A Mandarin Official, 1869.

下长江流域，行程近八千公里。本次

Wellcome Library, London.

展出的作品就是他此行所拍摄的。 拍摄这些照片使用的是早期摄影

T

术，即要于曝光前在玻璃版上涂布乳

his is the first exhibition devoted

These were the early days of photography,

to the images of China taken by the

when negatives were made on glass

Scottish photographer John Thomson

plates that had to be coated with emulsion

All images in the exhibition are from the

Woman’s Jacket,

胶剂，因此摄影师需要随身携带大量

Wellcome Library’s collection in London.

China, mid-19th century,

的笨重设备。汤姆逊凭着坚韧不拔的

This exhibition presents a selection of

The Textile Museum 1985.33.267. Gift of

毅力和强健的体魄，拍摄了大量不同

(1837–1921). Born in Edinburgh two years

before exposure. A cumbersome mass of

Thomson’s photographs displayed alongside

The Florence Eddowes

题材的照片，包括风光、人物、建

before the invention of the daguerreotype

equipment was required, but with persever-

contemporaneous pieces from The Textile

Morris Collection,

筑、家庭和市井生活等。作为一个外

and the birth of photography, Thomson first

ance and energy, Thomson captured a

Museum’s collection of late Qing-dynasty

Goucher College.

Below: Thomson with

travelled to Asia in 1862, where he set up a

wide variety of images: landscapes, people,

garments, accessories, and furnishings.

professional photographic studio. Fascinated

architecture, and domestic and street scenes.

The colorful textiles help bring Thomson's

by local cultures, Thomson returned in 1868

As a foreigner, his ability to gain access

powerful black-and-white images to life.

and settled in Hong Kong. Over the next four

to photograph women was particularly

years he made extensive trips to Guangdong,

remarkable.

Fujian, Beijing, China’s north-east and down

What marked Thomson’s photographs

Two Manchu Soldiers, Fujian Province, Xiamen,

国人，更难能可贵的是，他还设法拍 摄到了大量中国妇女的照片。 汤姆逊的这组中国照片在影像质

1871. Wellcome Library,

量、内容深刻性、题材广泛性和作品

London.

艺术性等各方面都达到了新的高度， 汤姆逊本人也因此成为纪实摄影的先 驱和那个时代最具影响力的摄影家。

the great river Yangzi. This exhibition is drawn

as special (portraits of the rich and famous

from his time in these regions.

aside) was the desire to present a faithful

讲座和发表文章向公众介绍中国的情

account of China and its people. Thomson’s

况。1920年，他致函著名药剂师、慈

excellent work in China established him

善家和收藏家亨利·维尔康姆，希望

as a serious pioneer of photojournalism and

出售自己拍摄的玻璃底版，但这个愿

one of the most influential photographers

望在其生前却未能实现。1921年，维

of his generation.

尔康姆从汤姆逊的继承人手中购买了

After returning to Britain, Thomson took up an active role informing the public about China through illustrated lectures

回到英国后，汤姆逊积极地举办

这些底版。本次展出的作品均出自伦 敦的维尔康姆图书馆。 我们希望通过展览给大家展示出这

and publications. In 1920, he wrote to Henry

批中国照片拍摄题材的多样性。与那

Wellcome—pharmacist, philanthropist and

些拍摄达官显贵肖像的摄影师不同，

collector—offering to sell his glass negatives.

汤姆逊致力于记录真实的中国和中国

Thomson died before the transaction could

人。通过拍摄其他人很少触及的各种

be completed, and Wellcome bought

平凡市井影像，汤姆逊向观众展现了

the negatives from Thomson’s heirs in 1921.

中国人的日常生活。

Left top: A Junk (detail), Guangdong

这是苏格兰摄影师约翰·汤姆逊

Province, Guangzhou, 1869–71. Wellcome

(1837–1921)

Library, London.

关于中国专题的首次

展览。汤姆逊生于爱丁堡，在他出生

Left bottom: An Amoy Couple, Fujian,

两年之后，摄影术的始祖—

1870–71. Wellcome Library, London.

银版照

相法问世。1862年，汤姆逊首次游历

Below center: Rank badge, China, mid-19th century. The Textile Museum 1973.28.4.

亚洲，并开办了一家专业照相馆。汤

Given in memory of their parents,

姆逊深深地被当地文化所感染，于是

Charles G. and Marian B. Woodbury,

在1868年再次返回，迁居香港，并在

by Richard B. Woodbury, Mrs. Meylon H.

1868至1872年间游历了广东、福建、

Hepp and Charles B. Woodbury.

北京，以及华东和华北地区，然后南

Below: A Mandarin Official, 1869.

下长江流域，行程近八千公里。本次

Wellcome Library, London.

展出的作品就是他此行所拍摄的。 拍摄这些照片使用的是早期摄影

T

术，即要于曝光前在玻璃版上涂布乳

his is the first exhibition devoted

These were the early days of photography,

to the images of China taken by the

when negatives were made on glass

Scottish photographer John Thomson

plates that had to be coated with emulsion

All images in the exhibition are from the

Woman’s Jacket,

胶剂，因此摄影师需要随身携带大量

Wellcome Library’s collection in London.

China, mid-19th century,

的笨重设备。汤姆逊凭着坚韧不拔的

This exhibition presents a selection of

The Textile Museum 1985.33.267. Gift of

毅力和强健的体魄，拍摄了大量不同

(1837–1921). Born in Edinburgh two years

before exposure. A cumbersome mass of

Thomson’s photographs displayed alongside

The Florence Eddowes

题材的照片，包括风光、人物、建

before the invention of the daguerreotype

equipment was required, but with persever-

contemporaneous pieces from The Textile

Morris Collection,

筑、家庭和市井生活等。作为一个外

and the birth of photography, Thomson first

ance and energy, Thomson captured a

Museum’s collection of late Qing-dynasty

Goucher College.

Below: Thomson with

travelled to Asia in 1862, where he set up a

wide variety of images: landscapes, people,

garments, accessories, and furnishings.

professional photographic studio. Fascinated

architecture, and domestic and street scenes.

The colorful textiles help bring Thomson's

by local cultures, Thomson returned in 1868

As a foreigner, his ability to gain access

powerful black-and-white images to life.

and settled in Hong Kong. Over the next four

to photograph women was particularly

years he made extensive trips to Guangdong,

remarkable.

Fujian, Beijing, China’s north-east and down

What marked Thomson’s photographs

Two Manchu Soldiers, Fujian Province, Xiamen,

国人，更难能可贵的是，他还设法拍 摄到了大量中国妇女的照片。 汤姆逊的这组中国照片在影像质

1871. Wellcome Library,

量、内容深刻性、题材广泛性和作品

London.

艺术性等各方面都达到了新的高度， 汤姆逊本人也因此成为纪实摄影的先 驱和那个时代最具影响力的摄影家。

the great river Yangzi. This exhibition is drawn

as special (portraits of the rich and famous

from his time in these regions.

aside) was the desire to present a faithful

讲座和发表文章向公众介绍中国的情

account of China and its people. Thomson’s

况。1920年，他致函著名药剂师、慈

excellent work in China established him

善家和收藏家亨利·维尔康姆，希望

as a serious pioneer of photojournalism and

出售自己拍摄的玻璃底版，但这个愿

one of the most influential photographers

望在其生前却未能实现。1921年，维

of his generation.

尔康姆从汤姆逊的继承人手中购买了

After returning to Britain, Thomson took up an active role informing the public about China through illustrated lectures

回到英国后，汤姆逊积极地举办

这些底版。本次展出的作品均出自伦 敦的维尔康姆图书馆。 我们希望通过展览给大家展示出这

and publications. In 1920, he wrote to Henry

批中国照片拍摄题材的多样性。与那

Wellcome—pharmacist, philanthropist and

些拍摄达官显贵肖像的摄影师不同，

collector—offering to sell his glass negatives.

汤姆逊致力于记录真实的中国和中国

Thomson died before the transaction could

人。通过拍摄其他人很少触及的各种

be completed, and Wellcome bought

平凡市井影像，汤姆逊向观众展现了

the negatives from Thomson’s heirs in 1921.

中国人的日常生活。

September 19, 2015 – February 14, 2016

Museum Information

As a foreigner, Thomson’s ability to gain access to photograph women was particularly remarkable.

Location

Public Programs

The museum is located at the corner of 21st and G streets, NW, four blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines).

For directions and parking information, visit museum.gwu.edu/plan-visit.

For the most up-to-date list of the museum’s educational programs, visit museum.gwu.edu/calendar.

Hours Monday, Wednesday–Friday: 11:30 AM–6:30 PM; Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday: 1–5 PM, Closed Tuesdays and university holidays.

Admission $8 suggested donation for non-members. Free for museum members, children, and current GW students, faculty, and staff.

Accessibility The museum is wheelchair accessible and designated garage parking is available nearby.

Visit museum.gwu.edu/accessibility for more information.

Museum Shop Visit the shop for unique jewelry, home décor, books, and gifts from Washington, D.C., and around the world.

Exhibition Tours Free walk-in tours highlighting selections from current exhibitions are offered each Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM (textile tour) and 2:30 PM (Washingtoniana tour).

To schedule a docent-led tour for groups of six to forty people, call 202-994-5578 at least four weeks in advance.

Join or Donate Support from members and donors is the driving force that allows the museum to continue its work bringing art, history, and culture alive for the GW community and the public. To join or renew a current membership, or to make a donation, visit museum.gwu.edu/support or call 202-994-5579.

Stay in Touch Follow the museum online for more information about works on view, programs, and behind-thescenes activities.

Arthur D. Jenkins Library

@GWTextileMuseum

The reading room is open Wednesday– Thursday 1–4 PM and by appointment.

Please contact the librarian before your visit at museumlibrary@gwu.edu.

TextileMuseum GWMuseum Textile-Museum.tumblr.com

Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies With the museum’s Washingtoniana Collection as a centerpiece, the center engages students, scholars, and the public in research and educational programs pertaining to our nation’s capital.

Cover: A Manchu Lady After Having her Face Painted, Beijing, 1871–72. Wellcome Library, London.

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum 701 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052 202-994-5200 | museum.gwu.edu

The museum wishes to thank the following supporters and partners: Top: Seated Manchu Lady Wearing a Coiffure, Beijing,

Above: A Manchu Bride, Beijing, 1871–72. Wellcome

1871–72. Wellcome Library, London.

Library, London.

E. Rhodes and LEONA B. CARPENTER FOUNDATION

September 19, 2015 – February 14, 2016

Museum Information

As a foreigner, Thomson’s ability to gain access to photograph women was particularly remarkable.

Location

Public Programs

The museum is located at the corner of 21st and G streets, NW, four blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines).

For directions and parking information, visit museum.gwu.edu/plan-visit.

For the most up-to-date list of the museum’s educational programs, visit museum.gwu.edu/calendar.

Hours Monday, Wednesday–Friday: 11:30 AM–6:30 PM; Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday: 1–5 PM, Closed Tuesdays and university holidays.

Admission $8 suggested donation for non-members. Free for museum members, children, and current GW students, faculty, and staff.

Accessibility The museum is wheelchair accessible and designated garage parking is available nearby.

Visit museum.gwu.edu/accessibility for more information.

Museum Shop Visit the shop for unique jewelry, home décor, books, and gifts from Washington, D.C., and around the world.

Exhibition Tours Free walk-in tours highlighting selections from current exhibitions are offered each Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM (textile tour) and 2:30 PM (Washingtoniana tour).

To schedule a docent-led tour for groups of six to forty people, call 202-994-5578 at least four weeks in advance.

Join or Donate Support from members and donors is the driving force that allows the museum to continue its work bringing art, history, and culture alive for the GW community and the public. To join or renew a current membership, or to make a donation, visit museum.gwu.edu/support or call 202-994-5579.

Stay in Touch Follow the museum online for more information about works on view, programs, and behind-thescenes activities.

Arthur D. Jenkins Library

@GWTextileMuseum

The reading room is open Wednesday– Thursday 1–4 PM and by appointment.

Please contact the librarian before your visit at museumlibrary@gwu.edu.

TextileMuseum GWMuseum Textile-Museum.tumblr.com

Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies With the museum’s Washingtoniana Collection as a centerpiece, the center engages students, scholars, and the public in research and educational programs pertaining to our nation’s capital.

Cover: A Manchu Lady After Having her Face Painted, Beijing, 1871–72. Wellcome Library, London.

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum 701 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052 202-994-5200 | museum.gwu.edu

The museum wishes to thank the following supporters and partners: Top: Seated Manchu Lady Wearing a Coiffure, Beijing,

Above: A Manchu Bride, Beijing, 1871–72. Wellcome

1871–72. Wellcome Library, London.

Library, London.

E. Rhodes and LEONA B. CARPENTER FOUNDATION