Street Refreshment Stalls c. 1865

"Street Refreshment Stalls" (c. 1865) by Felice Beato (1832-1909) captures a bustling street scene in Japan. The photograph showcases the daily life of locals, with vendors and customers interacting at a refreshment stall. The composition, featuring multiple figures and a detailed depiction of the stall, offers a glimpse into the social and economic aspects of 19th-century Japanese society. Beato, a pioneering photographer, utilized the albumen print technique to create this evocative image, showcasing his mastery of capturing everyday moments with a keen eye for detail. This photograph, like many of Beato's works, provides a valuable historical record of Japanese culture in the 19th century.