Portraits of a Samurai and of Two Priests by Felice Beato

Portraits of a Samurai and of Two Priests c. 1865 - 1870

toned paper

light pencil work

pencil sketch

charcoal drawing

charcoal art

pencil drawing

portrait drawing

watercolour illustration

pencil art

watercolor

Felice Beato's "Portraits of a Samurai and of Two Priests" is a 19th-century albumen print showcasing a samurai in full regalia, captured in a candid moment. The photograph, part of Beato's extensive documentation of Japan during a period of significant change, offers a glimpse into the traditional dress and weaponry of a samurai. The image, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, stands as a testament to Beato's groundbreaking work in early photography, capturing the unique cultural elements of a nation on the verge of modernization.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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These partially burned photographs from around 1863 are rare snippets of important patrimony. Bauduin was the first Dutchman to photograph in Japan. He portrayed the Japanese, and photographed their houses, villages, and surrounding landscapes. Antoon Bauduin also recorded his own life, and that of his brother, who was a merchant and consul in Japan. Bauduin’s estate is held in part by the University of Nagasaki and by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.