Lot Essay
Charles Wirgman was the official illustrator and reporter for The
Illustrated London News. In 1856, he set off to the Far East to cover the deteriorating international relations between Britain and China. He reached Hong Kong in 1859 where he based himself for four years, making several expeditions into China. In 1862 he travelled north to Japan where he remained for the rest of his life, witnessing the opening up of the country to westerners at the begining of the Meiji period
A folio of over a hundred drawings of his Chinese period were sold for HK$13 million at Christie's Swire, Autumn 1989
Illustrated London News. In 1856, he set off to the Far East to cover the deteriorating international relations between Britain and China. He reached Hong Kong in 1859 where he based himself for four years, making several expeditions into China. In 1862 he travelled north to Japan where he remained for the rest of his life, witnessing the opening up of the country to westerners at the begining of the Meiji period
A folio of over a hundred drawings of his Chinese period were sold for HK$13 million at Christie's Swire, Autumn 1989