Main entry:

Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921, photographer.

Title & Author:

Siam through the lens of John Thomson, 1865-66 : including Angkor and coastal China / Paisarn Piemmettawat ; translated by Narisa Chakrabongse.

Edition:

First edition.

Publication:

Bangkok, Thailand : River Books Press, 2015.
©2015

Description:

147 pages : chiefly illustrations (some color) ; 29 x 29 cm

Notes:
"This book accompanying the exhibition of historic photographs entitled Siam through the Lens of John Thomson including Cambodia and Coastal China is published to celebrate the 5th cycle of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as well the 150th anniversary of John Thomson's visit to Siam"--Title page verso.
"This book accompanying the exhibition of historic photographs entitled Siam through the Lens of John Thomson including Cambodia and Coastal China is published to celebrate the 5th cycle of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as well the 150th anniversary of John Thomson's visit to Siam."--T.p. verso.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 146-147).
Photography in Siam -- the crucial years (1861-66) / Joachim K. Bautz -- The reign of King Mongkut (R. 1851-1868) / Maj. Gen. M.R. Supbhawat Kasemsri and Rachanee Supvichit -- John Thomson's photographs of Thailand in the Wellcome Library / William Schupbach, Librarian the Wellcome Library, London -- Photographs in the exhibition: Portraits: royalty and commoners, Ceremonies, Views of Bangkok & beyond, Cambodia, Coastal China.
In English.
Dust jacket.

Summary:

Legendary Scottish photographer and travel writer John Thomson (1837-1921) set off for the East in 1862 and over the next ten years undertook numerous journeys to various countries including Siam, Cambodia and China, becoming the first person to photograph Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The photographs from these journeys form one of the most extensive records of any region taken in the 19th century. The range, depth and aesthetic quality of John Thomsons photographic vision mark him out as one of the most important travel photographers. At that time cameras were large and heavy. The photographic images were exposed onto a glass negative and this had to be done in complete darkness, on location, in a portable darkroom tent. Thomson travelled with a large number of cumbersome crates, glass negatives and highly flammable and poisonous chemicals. Given that his journeys took him through difficult terrain and insect-infested jungles, sometimes to regions where a white man had not been seen before, it is all the more remarkable that Thomson was able to make photographs of such beauty and sensitivity.During an era when his contemporaries took portraits in which their subjects looking stilted and wooden, Thomson managed to capture the individuality and humanity of the diverse people of Asia, whether royalty or street vendor.
In Siam, Thomson was able to photograph King Mongkut (Rama IV), his royal family and entourage. In Cambodia, Thomson was the first photographer to visit Angkor, to record what is now, one of the most important sites of ancient architecture in the world. These photographs form a unique archive of images documenting 19th century Asian landscapes, architecture, people and customs. The collection of over 600 glass plates traveled back with Thomson to Britain in 1872 and since 1921 has been housed and expertly preserved at the Wellcome Library, London. The 150-year-old glass negatives are in excellent condition allowing the exhibition to showcase very large prints, some life-size. Altogether 43 photographs taken in Siam, six taken in Angkor and 15 from Southern China are displayed in this ground-breaking exhibition.

ISBN:

9786167339511
6167339511

Subject:

Mongkut, King of Siam, 1804-1868 Pictorial works Exhibitions.
Mongkut, King of Siam, 1804-1868 Exhibitions.
Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921 Exhibitions.
Mongkut, King of Siam, 1804-1868
Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921
Thomson, John 1837-1921
Thomson, John, 1837-1921.
Photography Thailand History 19th century.
Photography Thailand History 19th century Exhibitions.
Photographie Thaïlande Histoire 19e siècle.
Photographie Thaïlande Histoire 19e siècle Expositions.
21.40 photographic art: general.
15.75 history of Asia.
Courts and courtiers
Manners and customs
Photography
Travel
Fotografie
Photography, Artistic Exhibitions.
Photography Thailand History.
Thailand Social life and customs 19th century Exhibitions.
Thailand Social life and customs 19th century Pictorial works Exhibitions.
Thailand Description and travel Exhibitions.
Thailand Pictorial works Exhibitions.
Thaialand Court and courtiers Exhibitions.
Thailand Court and courtiers Pictorial works Exhibitions.
Thaïlande Descriptions et voyages Expositions.
Thailand
Cambodja.
China.
Cambodia Social life and customs 19th century Pictorial works Exhibitions.
China Social life and customs 19th century Pictorial works Exhibitions.

Form/genre:

Exhibition catalogs.
Exhibition, pictorial works
History
Photographs.

Added entries:

Sirindhorn, Princess, daughter of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, 1955- honouree.
Phaisān Pīammēttāwat, author, curator.
Narisa Chakrabongse, Mō̜m Rātchawong, translator, curator, editor.
Phaisān Pīammēttāwat author.
Narisa Chakrabongse, M. R. translator, editor.
Yao, Betty compiler.
Wellcome Library, sponsor.
Hō̜sinlapa hǣng Chāt (Thailand), host institution.
Wellcome Library sponsoring body.
Hō̜sinlapa hǣng Chāt (Thailand) host institution.
Through the Lens of John Thomson : Siam, Angkor and Coastal China (2015 : National Gallery, Bangkok)

Holdings:

Location: Library main 291427
Call No.: BIB 235059
Status: Available