Interior of South Taku Fort Showing the Place of Landing, June 25, 1859

1860

Felice Beato

Associated Names
Felice Beato

Artist, British, born Venice, 1832 - 1909

This image captures a sweeping view from an elevated position overlooking a landscape. On the left, several small, arch-roofed structures are arranged in rows, suggesting a camp or settlement. On the right, multiple irrigation channels or trenches meander through the flat terrain. The horizon is visible high in the composition, with flat lands merging into the sky. The color palette is muted sepia, giving the photo an aged or historical look. The sky is minimally visible at the top, highlighting the vast land and man-made patterns.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Michael and Jane Wilson

  • Dimensions

    image: 22.5 × 85.1 cm (8 7/8 × 33 1/2 in.)
    mount: 24.4 × 32.3 cm (9 5/8 × 12 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.137.1.1

  • Volume Title

    The Second Opium War

Associated Artworks

See all 34 artworks

The Second Opium War

Felice Beato

1860

The image shows a historical scene of a military fortification from a slightly elevated perspective. The horizon is high in the image showing a barren area with earthen mounds and structures. Two large embankments dominate the composition, one on the left with domed shelters. Wooden logs and supplies lean against the slopes. More earthwork structures extend into the distance leading to a line of fortifications across the horizon. A muddy pathway runs diagonally towards the right, flanked by trenches or excavation lines. The color palette is muted with earth tones like browns and greys, giving an aged look.

Interior of the Second North Fort After Its Surrender on August 21, 1860, Wherein 2000 Prisoners Were Taken

Felice Beato

1860

The image shows an elevated view overlooking a sprawling landscape with a large encampment or military camp. The horizon is high in the image, displaying a vast expanse of land. The horizon features a structured arrangement of tents and makeshift constructions surrounding a fortified area that appears to be a walled settlement or fort on the left side. The color palette is sepia, emphasizing the details in the terrain and the tents. Figures and horses can be seen amidst the tents, depicting a scene of activity. The lines of tents and paths lead the eye towards the distance, where the camp extends into the horizon.

Interior of Pehtang Fort Showing Probyn's Horse, August 1, 1860

Felice Beato

1860

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Christie's, South Kensington, 05 May 2000, lot 302, as The Second Opium War China, 1860); Michael and Jane Wilson, Wilson Centre for Photography, London, acquired 2000; gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

on verso of mount, by unknown hand, along top in black ink on paper label: Interior of South Fort and showing the place of Landing. / 25th June 1859.; upper left in graphite: 3(2'.10"; bottom right in graphite: 00:6693

Wikidata ID

Q64147545

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