Photography exhibition at Chester Beatty celebrates Chinese New Year

When Scottish photographer John Thomson travelled to Asia for the first time in 1862, he was so intrigued by the cultures he encountered that he returned two years later and settled in Hong Kong. Over the next four years, the Edinburgh native travelled extensively throughout China; in addition to exploring the country's northeast and a journey down the Yangtze River, Thomson travelled to Guangdong, Fujian and Beijing.

To coincide with Chinese New Year in 2012, the Chester Beatty Library, in Dublin city centre, is currently displaying photographs from Thomson's travels in an exhibition entitled China through the Lens of John Thomson: 1868-1872.

Despite the cumbersome photography equipment of the 19th century, glass plates and all, Thomson was able to capture images rarely documented by other photographers of the age. His images provide extraordinary insight into everyday aspects of Chinese life at the time. When he returned home, Thomson used these photographs in illustrated lectures and publications to inform the British public about this very distant and culturally different country.

Following his death, pharmacist, philanthropist and collector Henry Wellcome bought Thomson’s glass negatives from the photographer's heirs in 1921. The exhibition at the Chester Beatty is comprised of images from these negatives, now a part of the Wellcome Library in London.

The exhibition includes 50 stunning images across a diverse range of themes; Thomson’s photographs capture people, architecture and domestic and street scenes, among others. To accompany the images, a selection of traditional Chinese clothing and accessories from the Library’s own collection is also displayed.

China through the Lens of John Thomson: 1868-1872 runs at the Chester Beatty Library until February 26th. The exhibition is meant to coincide with Chinese New Year celebrations in 2012. For other events taking place to celebrate the Chinese New Year, click HERE. For more information on events at the Chester Beatty Library, visit www.cbl.ie.