Old photos in the late Qing Dynasty: Is this the social life of Beijing during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi?

Musicians on the streets of Beijing. This group of precious old photos, taken more than 150 years ago, captured the daily life scenes of Beijing in the late Qing Dynasty, showing the street scenes and close-ups of people, which is amazing. The specific shooting time was between 1865- 1866, and the photographer was French officer George Morace.

An old man with a pipe. The photo was taken during the Tongzhi period, when Empress Dowager Cixi actually held the imperial power. The late Qing society recorded in these rare works is experiencing internal troubles and foreign invasion, which seems simple and quiet, but it is also somewhat dull and gloomy.

Monks in the temple. Morace got to know people from all walks of life in Beijing and became interested in the lifestyle of the local people. He took these photos without any commercial purpose, just to show them to his family and friends. Historian comments:? Photos of Beijing in the 65438+60s are extremely rare, especially those with so many people. ?

The building of the French legation. These photos have always been regarded as the works of French chemical engineer Paul Champion, who was also in Beijing at that time and loved photography. However, after academic research, it is found that they are actually almost forgotten works by Georges Morache.

Temple of Heaven Hall for Praying for the New Year. The Temple of Heaven is the place where the emperor worships heaven and prays for blessings every year. It's a forbidden area. Under normal circumstances, Morace can't get in at all. He must have used his special status to intimidate and lure the guards and eunuchs of the Temple of Heaven into shooting.

A priest who hangs beads. Minister *** 108 Zhu Chao, all civil servants with more than five grades and officers with more than four grades are eligible to hang up. Beads are made of Oriental Pearl, coral, jade, amber, beeswax, etc. And decorated with bright yellow, gold and turquoise ribbons, of which the Oriental Pearl and bright yellow ribbons can only be used by emperors, queens and queens.

The business district near the front door. Qianmen Street is the main north-south street in the outer city, with prosperous business. Theaters, tea gardens and brothels gather here, and there are many craftsmen's workshops, warehouses, chariots and horses shops, hotels and clubs. Fresh fish market, meat market, fruit market, cloth market, pig market, grain market and other professional markets are connected.