Artwork Page for A Commercial Street in Guangzhou

Details / Information for A Commercial Street in Guangzhou

A Commercial Street in Guangzhou

c. 1880

Lai Fong (Afong Studio)

(Chinese, c. 1839–1890)
Culture
China
Medium
albumen print
Measurements
Sheet: 29 x 22.5 cm (11 7/16 x 8 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Michael F. Resch 2022.341
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Lai Fong’s studio, Afong Studio, was the most successful in China in the late 1800s, selling well to both Chinese and non-Chinese customers.

Description

Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is located on the Pearl River and has for centuries been a center of trade and commerce. The photographer emphasizes the energy and bustle of this street of shops and businesses through the blurred figure in motion at bottom left. Other men peer out to watch the photographer—not a common sight in those days—as he captures their image on film.
An albumen print depicts a narrow street lined with tall wooden signs featuring vertical Chinese characters. A blurred figure occupies the lower left foreground. Several men and boys with medium skin tones stand along the right wall and center, some looking toward us. The stone walkway recedes toward a bright light in the distance. Handwritten text at the bottom margin reads, 'Street Scene - Canton -'.

A Commercial Street in Guangzhou

c. 1880

Lai Fong (Afong Studio)

(Chinese, c. 1839–1890)
China

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