Georges Auguste Morache

Dr. Georges Auguste Morache made extraordinary early images of Beijing during his time as a physician working at the French Legation in Beijing from 1862 to 1866. His photographs are some of the earliest to depict Chinese people and Chinese life in Beijing. Morache’s work conveys his familiarity with and respect for the sites, people, and traditions of the imperial city. A talented amateur, Morache printed only a few sets of his photographs for himself and esteemed colleagues. As a result, very few examples of his important photographs have survived.