Felice Beato

Felice Beato made the earliest known photographs of China’s capital city, Beijing. His photographs, taken in 1860 and 1861, are irreplaceable visual records of Chinese history. Scholars consider Beato’s sweeping panoramic views to be among the greatest achievements of early photography in China.

This stunning multi-print panorama of Beijing is the most prized of the artist’s photographs. The photographer’s unparalleled skill allowed him to capture the grandeur of the ancient city Beijing using the new technology of photography. The elongated format and striking use of perspective owe a debt to traditional Chinese handscrolls.