Merseyside Maritime Museum photographic exhibition brings Imperial China back to life

Feb 4 2010 Flintshire Chronicle

THE vanished world of Imperial China is vividly captured on glass plates by an intrepid Scottish photographer, who travelled throughout the country meeting people from all walks of life.

The exhibition, China: Through the Lens of John Thomson 1868–1872, startlingly reveals the character of the vast empire mainly through its remarkable people and can be seen at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool from February 5-June 6.

Thomson bravely faced danger in order to get the images he wanted. Some people feared his camera would take vital essences from their bodies while others were reluctant to face each other in portraits.

The photographer won their confidence and portrayed everyone from humble flower sellers and knife-grinders to beautiful brides and powerful Mandarin bureaucrats.

They pose before backdrops of palaces, monasteries, pagodas, streets and back yards.

The exhibition features historic models of traditional Chinese junks and other vessels as well as a selection of the museum’s pictures of ships by Chinese artists, known as China Trade paintings.

Visit the website: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or ring 0151 478 4499 for further details.