We have all learned from history textbooks, and the late Qing Dynasty was an era of poverty and backwardness, with internal and external troubles, social decay, and the people's livelihood. What was the specific picture of life in that era? Xiaobian published a group of old photos to let everyone have a more intuitive impression of the late Qing Dynasty.
Duan Fang (left), the governor of Liangjiang, and Chen Qitai, the governor of Jiangsu.
From 1907 to 1909, Duan Fang and Chen Qitai were superiors and subordinates, and this photo was taken in 1908 at the Weixiao Photo Studio in Nanjing. The two had worked closely together in the implementation of the New Deal, such as joining hands to create the Nanyang Persuasion Association to revitalize industry.
Officers and men of the Qing Army holding the "Thirteenth Taibao".
The weapon in their hands was the American-made Winchester M1873 rifle, which was known as the "Thirteenth Taibao" because the magazine could store 13 rounds of ammunition. This gun was relatively advanced in that era, and the Qing army imported and equipped troops in batches. In the photograph, all three people have bullet belts wrapped around their waists, and in the middle is obviously an officer, next to a soldier holding his top and binoculars.
In 1910, a young and beautiful woman.
Is this four people taking a group photo? No, there is only one young woman in the shot. The photo also does not use any synthesis technology, but multiple mirrors are placed at different angles to achieve the effect of illustration. Posing a mirror in a photo studio to show the rich side of the character was a popular composition technique in the late Qing Dynasty.
Students at the Beiyang Marine Academy learn to use measuring instruments.
The Beiyang Admiralty School was established in 1881 by Li Hongzhang, the Governor of Zhili, with a five-year study system to cultivate naval technical personnel. Courses include geography, algebra, geometry, hydrology, astronomy, climatology, drawing, surveying and gun drills, torpedoes, and the use of mechanical instruments. Not only do students here not have to pay tuition fees, but they can also receive 4 taels of silver (silver) from the school every month. 4 two pieces of silver is not a small amount, enough to feed a family of 5.
Women and children drinking tea and chatting.
Judging from the shooting environment, the family's economic conditions are very favorable. The two women wore very similar clothes, was it a wife and a concubine?
Empress Dowager Cixi enjoyed the snowy scenery of the Summer Palace.
Empress Dowager Cixi was surrounded by palace ladies and eunuchs. This palace lady was born noble, was the daughter of Prince Yili of Qing, known as "Si Ge Ge", because of the death of her husband, she accompanied the empress dowager in the palace for many years. The eunuch closest to the empress dowager was named Cui Yugui, and was the second in command of Empress Dowager Cixi in her later years, second in rank only to Li Lianying.
Concubine of the Guangxu Emperor.
Princess Jin is the daughter of The Right Attendant of Hubu, Changshu, and is obese and far from pretty. She was 30 years old when the photo was taken and looked like a middle-aged aunt. Everyone imagines that the emperor's concubines all look like heavenly immortals, in fact, when the Qing Emperor chose his wife, the first thing he valued was his birth, the second value was his character, and the third was how he looked. None of the 3 concubines of the Guangxu Emperor had the appearance of a closed moon and a shy flower. Concubine Jin's younger sister was The Guangxu Emperor's Concubine Zhen.
Coolies resting on the side of the road.
They are laborers at the bottom of society, and their lives are difficult. When facing the camera, he has a simple smile on his face and is full of optimism, which is enough to infect us today.
Folk entertainers who play and sing at weddings.
Marriage is a great joy in life, and it is natural to use music to set off the lively atmosphere. From greeting the bride to visiting the world, the whole wedding is indispensable to the musicians. They generally play with chants, gongs and drums, the rhythm is cheerful and lively, and unique wedding music has been formed everywhere.
An orphanage in Shanghai.
The orphanage was founded and operated by missionaries. In the social unrest of the late Qing Dynasty, some children were orphaned by the death or abandonment of their parents. Originally, philanthropists and governments had institutions for orphans, and Western missionaries joined them when they arrived, but they often had the purpose of spreading the gospel.