Ambassade Cochinchinoise à Paris 1863

"Ambassade Cochinchinoise à Paris," a 1863 photograph by Louis Rousseau, captures a young man in traditional Vietnamese clothing. This portrait was likely taken in the context of the 1863 Paris Universal Exposition, a major event that showcased the French Empire's global reach. The image, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, provides a glimpse into the cultural exchange and representation of Asia in 19th-century Europe. Rousseau's photograph, a rare example of early photography from Vietnam, offers a compelling look at a young man amidst the backdrop of a global moment.