View on Rak-Chui opposite Swatow 1869

"View on Rak-Chui opposite Swatow" is a 1869 albumen silver print by John Thomson, a Scottish photographer known for his documentation of life in Asia. The photograph captures a sweeping vista of the waterfront at Swatow (Shantou) in Guangdong province, China. The composition showcases a large building on the hillside, with the harbor and a few boats in the distance. This image offers a glimpse into the urban landscape and architectural styles of a significant port city during the Qing dynasty, representing the photographer's engagement with capturing the everyday life of people in the region. This print, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a valuable record of 19th-century Chinese life.