Lot Essay
REPRODUCED:
The Illustrated London News, 15 March, 1873, p.253
During his visit to Peking the artist stayed at the British Legation, 'the first ground occupied by her Majesty's representative in the Chinese capital'. In his book Meeting the Sun, Simpson states (p.140) that the building was 'originally the palace of the Duke Leeang...it may be described as a miniature of the great Imperial palace, the halls being fewer in number and smaller in size; they are all arranged on a line running north and south'. At the northern end were the living quarters of T.F. Wade, the British Minister and his family. There was accommodation for the 'young gentlemen coming out for the Chinese Consular Service', who spent two or three preliminary years in Peking studying the language; also 'a reading-room, a billiard-room, a theatre, a fives court, a bowling alley and a skating pond for the winter'.
Born in Glasgow, Simpson gained celebrity for his pictures of the Crimean War, and subsequently travelled widely, sending back his drawings of international events for publication in London
The Illustrated London News, 15 March, 1873, p.253
During his visit to Peking the artist stayed at the British Legation, 'the first ground occupied by her Majesty's representative in the Chinese capital'. In his book Meeting the Sun, Simpson states (p.140) that the building was 'originally the palace of the Duke Leeang...it may be described as a miniature of the great Imperial palace, the halls being fewer in number and smaller in size; they are all arranged on a line running north and south'. At the northern end were the living quarters of T.F. Wade, the British Minister and his family. There was accommodation for the 'young gentlemen coming out for the Chinese Consular Service', who spent two or three preliminary years in Peking studying the language; also 'a reading-room, a billiard-room, a theatre, a fives court, a bowling alley and a skating pond for the winter'.
Born in Glasgow, Simpson gained celebrity for his pictures of the Crimean War, and subsequently travelled widely, sending back his drawings of international events for publication in London