Chinese paviljoen op de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1900 1900

This photograph shows the Chinese pavilion at the World Exhibition in Paris, in 1900. These international exhibitions were a deliberate exercise in image-making, a way for countries to present an ideal vision of themselves to a global audience. Notice how the architecture emphasizes a sense of tradition and cultural identity. The photo invites viewers to imagine China as a place of ancient customs and exotic beauty, even as it was rapidly changing due to internal pressures and external forces. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. A deeper understanding of the pavilion requires archival research into the exhibition's planning and reception. What was China's intention in presenting itself in this way? How did visitors respond to it? Such questions help us understand the complex social and institutional context in which this image was created and consumed.