Fille de Shanghai 1870s

Raimund von Stillfried created this hand-colored albumen print, "Fille de Shanghai," capturing a young woman in Shanghai. Stillfried was part of a wave of Western photographers who documented Asia through a colonial lens. The photograph reflects a complex interplay of power, identity, and representation. The woman is adorned in traditional Chinese clothing, jewelry, and hairstyle, markers of her cultural identity. But, the gaze is directed in such a way that it renders her exotic, Other. The title "Fille de Shanghai," translates to "Girl of Shanghai," a label which highlights the artist's perspective. The photograph's beauty and aesthetic appeal cannot mask its role in constructing and perpetuating stereotypes. It invites us to consider the ethics of representation, and the impact of cultural appropriation. It challenges us to confront the dynamics of looking and being looked at, especially across cultural divides.