Exterior of North Fort Showing the English Entrance, August 21, 1860

1860

Felice Beato

Associated Names
Felice Beato

Artist, British, born Venice, 1832 - 1909

The image shows a ground-level view of a dilapidated structure, possibly a fort or building. The structure stretches horizontally across the scene, with the horizon defined by the tops of the crumbling walls and scattered debris. A small body of water is in the foreground, reflecting the posts and other elements from the bank. A wooden bridge spans the water, leading towards a path that angles into the distance. Branches or sticks are scattered near the bank, and upright stakes line a section of the area. The color palette is muted, with earthy tones dominating the scene. The texture is smooth and there are no visible brushstrokes since this is a photograph. The coloration and contrasts are subdued, capturing the historical and worn atmosphere of the scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Michael and Jane Wilson

  • Dimensions

    image: 23.8 × 29.1 cm (9 3/8 × 11 7/16 in.)
    mount: 24.8 × 30.3 cm (9 3/4 × 11 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.137.1.7

  • Volume Title

    The Second Opium War


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: Exterior of North Fort showing the English entrance. / Augt 21st 1860; bottom right in graphite: 00:6693

Wikidata ID

Q64147552

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