Exhibition on vanished world of Imperial China will open at Merseyside Maritime Museum

Nov 19 2009 Maghull and Aintree Star

THE vanished world of Imperial China will be the subject of an exhibition at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in February.

China: Through the Lens of John Thomson 1868-1872 will reveal the character of the vast empire through its remarkable people.

The intrepid Scottish photographer travelled throughout the country meeting people from all walks of life, vividly capturing them on glass plates.

Rachel Mulhearn, director of Merseyside Maritime Museum, says: “Thomson was one of those talented Victorian travellers who helped increase understanding of distant countries through photography.”

Some people Thomson met feared his camera would take vital essences from their bodies, while others were reluctant to face each other in portraits.

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