“A portrait is most successful when nothing stands between the sitter and the truth.”
~ William Saunders (1832 - 1892)
The late 19th century in China was a remarkable moment for photography. Portrait studios flourished, many using the albumen process and delicately hand-coloring each print. To have your portrait made was an honor — a symbol of status, modernity, and, more importantly, a growing sense of personal identity. With the medium still so fresh in the world, I can only imagine the great pleasure of standing before the camera for the first time.