Artwork

Commercial Street, Canton (recto); Untitled (man being carried in sedan chair, verso)

Commercial Street, Canton (recto); Untitled (man being carried in sedan chair, verso) is a photography by the Impressionist artist Lai Fong (Afong Studio). It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This 1875 photograph by Lai Fong presents two contrasting scenes on its recto and verso.

About this work

Overview

This 1875 photograph by Lai Fong presents two contrasting scenes on its recto and verso.

This 1875 photograph by Lai Fong presents two contrasting scenes on its recto and verso. The recto captures Commercial Street in Canton, depicting a densely populated, narrow street with wet ground, closely packed buildings, and hanging signs in Chinese characters. In stark contrast, the verso shows a serene, wider path lined with trees, sparse pedestrian traffic, and a sedan chair being carried under an umbrella, alongside a figure in a white outfit with a cane.

Subject & Meaning

The juxtaposition of the two scenes may highlight the coexistence of bustling commercial activity and more leisurely, potentially elite, pursuits in late 19th-century Canton. The sedan chair, an traditional mode of transport, alongside more modern elements, suggests a transitional period in the city's development.

Technique & Style

Lai Fong's photograph demonstrates a documentary approach, aiming to capture everyday life. The composition and lighting, particularly the depiction of wet ground on the recto, indicate an emphasis on realism, characteristic of early photographic practices.

History & Provenance

Created in 1875, the photograph is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Lai Fong, likely of Chinese origin, was active during a period of increased Western influence in China, which may have influenced the photograph's subject matter and style.

Context

This work reflects the social and economic dynamics of Canton during the late Qing dynasty, a time of significant cultural exchange and change. The photograph offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Canton's inhabitants during this transitional era.

Legacy

As part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, this photograph contributes to the institution's holdings on early Chinese photography and late 19th-century Cantonese life, providing valuable historical and cultural insight for researchers and the public alike.