Entrance to the Treasury, Canton, April 10, 1860 1860

Felice Beato created this albumen silver print titled "Entrance to the Treasury, Canton" on April 10, 1860. It offers us a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the Second Opium War. Beato, a British photographer, documented the Anglo-French expedition against China's Qing dynasty. The image presents a seemingly serene view of a traditional Chinese gate. However, it’s loaded with colonial undertones. Canton had fallen to Anglo-French forces, marking a blow to Chinese sovereignty and control over its own economic affairs. The "Treasury" itself symbolizes the economic stakes of the war – control over resources and trade routes. The presence of Chinese figures in the frame further emphasizes the power dynamics at play. Historical archives, including diplomatic correspondence and military reports, shed light on the motivations and consequences of this conflict. By studying this image, we gain insight into the complex interplay of culture, politics, and economics that shaped 19th-century China.