What is the true color of late Qing society? There was no color film in that era, but fortunately there were a group of photographers who were proficient in coloring. They add color to black and white photos through carbon technology or dichromate technology, allowing us to see a colorful historical world.
Street vendor.
This woman, who was over sixty years old, carried some things in a bamboo basket to sell on the street. Those things were brightly colored. Are they jujubes or hawthorns? The quantity is not large. They must have been picked in their own fields. They were reluctant to eat it (or couldn't finish it), so they sold it in exchange for some pocket money. Photographed by American photographer C.E. Lennon.
teenagers and children.
These children were sitting around a stone table playing games in a temple. I wonder if they go to school? Most likely, I didn't go to school. I played wildly for a few years when I was a child. When my arms and legs get stronger, I will help with the household chores. This was the inevitable way for rural children to grow up in that era, and the chances of studying were too slim. Photographed by American photographer C.E. Lennon.
Mother and daughter busy in the farmland.
Mother and daughter, dressed in coarse cloth and disheveled, holding bamboo rakes, were raking grass in the farmland after the autumn harvest. They do not have feet bound and can do manual labor, representing the image of working women at the bottom. Photographed by American photographer C.E. Lennon.
Lady with small feet.
This woman is wearing a wide robe, large sleeves coat skirt, and the exquisite patterns on the clothes show her status and economic strength. Although his feet are bound and he cannot work, his family is well off and he has no worries about food and clothing. She showed off her little feet and was obviously proud of them. Photographed by British photographer William Thomas Sanders.
A wheelbarrow carries guests.
This wooden, one-wheeled simple vehicle played an important role among the people in the late Qing Dynasty. Although it is extremely simple, it has powerful functions. It can be used as a "passenger" vehicle or a "freight" vehicle. It integrates passengers and cargo without modification. It is flexible and convenient when it comes to transporting people and cargo. I only have one question, how does the driver maintain balance when pushing? Photographed by British photographer William Thomas Sanders.
Li Hongzhang, Governor-General of Zhili.
This portrait of Li Hongzhang was taken in 1878 in the West Flower Hall of the Governor's Office in Zhili, Tianjin. He was 55 years old at the time and had been in his current position for eight years. He was actively promoting the Westernization Movement and exerting an increasing influence on the political situation of the late Qing Dynasty. Photographed by Chinese photographer Liang Shitai.
Fat officials.
This official was very wealthy, with a fat head and big ears. He could be described as having a "big head and thick neck", which was rare at that time. Photographed by Austrian photographer Raymond Stiefeld.
Young beautiful woman.
She is carefully dressed and looks elegant. She is holding a flower in her hand. She is very attractive, a bit like the girl next door. This is the legendary Xiaojiabiyu. She did not have her feet bound, and was wearing a pair of shoes that would still be out of date today. Her overall condition was relatively healthy and strong. Photographed by Austrian photographer Raymond Stiefeld.
Group portrait of women.
These women were carrying their bags and seemed to be going on a long journey, and they were discussing which way to go. Photographed by British photographer John Thomson .
Concession police arrest Chinese people.
The foreign policemen grabbed a group of men by their braids and raised wooden sticks to beat them. Those arrested were in shabby clothes and were poor people with no means of livelihood. What law had they broken and were treated so roughly? Maybe it's not illegal at all, but it just prevents the invaders from sucking China's blood. Photographed by British photographer John Thomson.
