The Face of China as Seen by Photographers & Travelers, 1860-1912

by Luther Carrington Goodrich (Contributor), Nigel Cameron (Contributor)

With a Preface by L. Carrington Goodrich. Reprinted for the first time since its original publication twenty years ago, The Face of China is an evocative and candid collection of some of the first photographs made in that country. Along with descriptive captions, these images describe the daily life and surroundings of an era now passed. The people are as seen through Western eyes, and the places are as traversed by foreigners. These early photographers were explorers and adventurers. They lugged huge cameras with heavy glass plates over rugged, unfamiliar terrain. Interspersed throughout the book are passages from significant texts and travelers' diaries, observations and opinions that echo and illuminate the images. For many Chinese, these photographers were the first white faces ever seen, and they carried with them previously undreamed-of contraptions. For all this, there is an unguarded air to many of the portraits, and the street scenes have the candid look of today's street photographer.

Genres: Photography, China, History

159 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1978

Reviews

[Ray LaManna · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are some of the first pictures taken of China beginning in the 1850s...the essay at the end describing the hardships which Western countries inflicted (especially opium addiction) was very moving.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like historical pictures? You might enjoy this book! This is a collection of various pictures taken by Western photographers (Europeans and Americans) who traveled through China during the 1860-1912. This coincide with the time of when China went through a radical transition and also influx in various point of Chinese history. Readers will be delighted with this fascinating collection of photography!
I found it fascinating to see faces of people in China during that time. Most pictures were during China’s last Dynasty: The Qing. Equally fascinating for me is also the pictures of Western influence (such as those photograph looking at Westerners for the first time, etc) and also important figures of Chinese officials. I’m glad someone compiled these together, it makes my other reading of Chinese come alive and situate things with seeing faces, people and location. Readers can spend a long time glazing at each photo and studying up the details. There’s also helpful captions and also blurb of who took the pictures when the photographer is known.

[Frederic · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the foundational works in the history of photography in China. More recent scholarship has provided more names of photographers, and more information about them, but the images here are large and well reproduced and this remains a very useful volume.

[Irkham Nurhadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebenarnya buku ini hanya kumpulan fotografi yang dijepret oleh orang Barat dengan sedikit deskripsi di bawah foto jadi cuma butuh sedikit waktu untuk menyelesaikannya. Kalau Anda suka melihat foto lawas hitam putih di masa lalu, buku ini sangat memuaskan.

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The meaning of historical events is seldom apparent to those most directly involved in them.