Bamboos at Baksa, Formosa c. 1868

This photograph, "Bamboos at Baksa, Formosa" (c. 1868), is one of a series of images taken by Scottish photographer John Thomson during his travels through Southeast Asia. It features a cluster of bamboo trees in the foreground, with a single palm tree visible in the distance. The image is rendered in a soft, atmospheric light, giving it a hazy and dreamlike quality. Thomson's photographs of Formosa (now Taiwan) provide a glimpse into the island's landscape and culture during the 19th century. The image's composition emphasizes the natural beauty of the region, suggesting a sense of tranquility and solitude. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this piece.