The Chinese men-of-war firing in reply to the attack of a portion of the Japanese squadron Possibly 1895

This photograph, made by the Ordnance Survey Office, depicts the Chinese men-of-war returning fire during an attack by the Japanese squadron. It offers a lens through which we can examine the complexities of identity, power, and representation in the late 19th century. The image captures a moment of conflict during the First Sino-Japanese War, a war fought over influence in Korea, and reflects a period of intense geopolitical struggle and imperial ambition. It also encapsulates a clash of cultures and national identities, underscoring the tensions between a declining Qing dynasty and an ascendant, modernizing Japan. How do we interpret a photograph taken by an anonymous entity, likely commissioned to document or even celebrate a colonial campaign? What does this imagery tell us about the construction of national identity and the dehumanization of the 'other' in times of war? It is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring legacies of colonialism and imperialism.