Portrait of Two Chinese Buddhist Monks 1860 - 1885

"Portrait of Two Chinese Buddhist Monks" is an albumen print photograph by Austrian photographer Raimund von Stillfried, taken sometime between 1860 and 1885. The photograph, housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts two Buddhist monks standing in front of a wall with scrolls bearing Chinese characters. This image, part of a larger body of work capturing everyday life in China, offers a glimpse into the sartorial practices and religious figures of 19th-century Chinese society. The detailed portrayal of the monks' robes and the presence of religious objects in their hands highlight the importance of religious life in this period.