A Canton Lady; The Lady's Maid; A Bride and Bridegroom c. 1868

John Thomson made these albumen silver prints, "A Canton Lady; The Lady's Maid; A Bride and Bridegroom," during his travels in China in the 1860s and 70s, a period marked by increasing Western intervention. These photographs offer us a glimpse into the lives of individuals navigating a society undergoing immense change. Thomson’s gaze, as a Western photographer, frames his subjects within a complex dynamic of power and representation. The subjects, identified by their social roles and relationships, present themselves, revealing aspects of gender and class through their attire and posture. Note the intimate details captured; the delicate embroidery on the bride's gown, the utilitarian accessories carried by the lady's maid, each telling a story of identity and lived experience. Thomson's work invites us to consider the cultural exchange of the era, while prompting questions about how we perceive and document one another. The subjects of Thomson's photographs stand as both individuals and representatives of a culture, caught between tradition and transformation.