Amoy Harbour 1869

John Thomson captured this albumen silver print, titled Amoy Harbour. Thomson was a Scottish photographer known for his documentary photography in East Asia. As you look at this harbor scene, consider the historical context in which it was created. Thomson's work coincided with a period of increasing Western influence in China during the late Qing dynasty. Images like this, while seemingly objective, were often entangled with the dynamics of colonialism and trade. The harbor, bustling with ships, symbolizes a nexus of cultural and economic exchange, but also hints at the power imbalances inherent in these interactions. What stories do you imagine lie behind each of these vessels? How do such images affect our understanding of cultural exchange and power during this period? I invite you to reflect on these questions and to consider the multiple perspectives involved.