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The House of Mr Yang, c. 1872 (b / w photo)
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The House of Mr Yang, c. 1872 (b / w photo)
473742 The House of Mr Yang, c.1872 (b/w photo) by Thomson, John (1837-1921); Private Collection; (add.info.: John Thomson describes Mr Yang thus; " A gentleman enormously rich, and holding an official rank in Peking. His abode is walled around and is entered only by a plain doorway through a high brick wall which skirts an obscure alley. Within the door were two silk lanterns dangling from supports above and daubed with the name and titles of Yang. This picture shows the kind of buildings which divide one court from another. The heavy tiled roof reflects the heat and keeps out the cold while the veranda can be thrown entirely open or kept closely shut. The group represents my friend Mr. Yang, his son, and a party of the ladies and younger children of his household." ); Scottish, out of copyright
Media ID 23488412
© Bridgeman Images
1870s Beijing Chinaman Courtyard Domestic Architecture Household Peking Rich Verandah Wealthy
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The House of Mr Yang, c. 1872 - A Glimpse into the Opulent World of Peking's Elite
EDITORS COMMENTS
. This photograph, captured by renowned Scottish photographer John Thomson in 1872, offers a rare glimpse into the lavish abode of Mr Yang, an immensely wealthy gentleman and high-ranking official in Peking (now Beijing), China. The image portrays a grand Chinese house enclosed within high brick walls, accessible only through a modest doorway tucked away in an obscure alley. Two silk lanterns adorned with Yang's name and titles hang above the entrance, hinting at his esteemed status. Thomson describes how this picture showcases the architectural elements that separate one courtyard from another within Mr Yang's residence. The sturdy tiled roof reflects scorching heat while providing insulation against bitter cold winters. The veranda can be opened wide to embrace nature or closed tightly for privacy. Within this opulent setting stands Mr Yang himself alongside his son and a group of elegant ladies and young children from his household. Their presence adds life to the scene as they embody wealth, refinement, and familial ties. Through this remarkable photograph, we are transported back to 19th-century China—a time when domestic architecture reflected social standing and where families like Mr Yang's reveled in their prosperity amidst beautifully designed courtyards. This print serves as both a visual testament to China's rich cultural heritage and an intriguing window into the lives of its privileged elite during that era.
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