Artwork
A portrait of a woman Kin Foo
A portrait of a woman Kin Foo is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1864 carte-de-visite photograph presents a full-length portrait of Kin Foo, the first wife of Chang Woo Gow, also known as 'Chang the Chinese Giant'.
Subject & Meaning
Kin Foo is depicted seated on a stool, wearing traditional Chinese attire, with a fan in her lap and a small table with a vase of dried flowers beside her. The setting and props convey a sense of cultural heritage and domesticity.
Technique & Style
The black-and-white photograph exhibits characteristics of early photographic technology, including a grainy texture and flat lighting, typical of mid-19th-century portraiture.
History & Provenance
The photograph is part of a series related to object RPS.5366-2018, indicating a connection to a larger collection or archive.
Artist & collection
Artist
London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company
They snapped portraits for London’s theater crowd in the 1800s, turning actors and dancers into instant celebrities.
