Samurai, Yokohama

Felice Beato British, born Italy

1864–65

Not on view

Beato was one of the finest professional travel photographers of the nineteenth century. He lived and worked in Japan from 1862 until about 1885, and dedicated himself to the comprehensive documentation of every aspect of the country, which had newly opened to the West. This straightforward but intense study of an anonymous samurai dates from early in Beato's period in Japan, and prior to the devastating fire that destroyed his studio and most of Yokohama in October 1866. After 1615, when relative peace reigned in Japan and the importance of martial arts declined, most sumurai-the top of Japan's social hierarchy during the Edo period (1603-1868)-became bureaucrats, teachers, or artists. Just a few years after Beato made this photograph, the feudal period in Japan ended with the Meiji Restoration. And after more than eight centuries of military leadership, the samurai class was officially abolished.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Samurai, Yokohama
Artist: Felice Beato (British (born Italy), Venice 1832–1909 Luxor)
Date: 1864–65
Medium: Albumen silver print from glass negative
Dimensions: Image: 17.9 x 14.6 cm (7 1/16 x 5 3/4 in.)
Classification: Photographs
Credit Line: Gilman Collection, Purchase, Robert Rosenkranz Gift, 2005
Object Number: 2005.100.566
Curatorial Department: Photographs

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"Shariki," or Cart-Pushing Coolies, Felice Beato British, born Italy, Albumen silver print from glass negative with applied color — "Shariki," or Cart-Pushing Coolies
Felice Beato
ca. 1860

The Capture Corean [sic] Standard, Felice Beato British, born Italy, Albumen silver print from glass negative — The Capture Corean [sic] Standard
Felice Beato
1871

Lord Arima's Quarters, Edo

Felice Beato

1860s

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