Copyright Turandot

ID: 410
Ressource_Provider: Jérôme Bourgon
Title: Saunder's posed decapitation
DocumentNature: Photolithograph
Glass: Positive
Support: Paper
Mono: Monoscopic
Repository: Turandot
Color: Black and white
Particulars: This is an oft-reproduced photograph, to appear in the press with adornments (flags, charts) and comments adapted to changing circumstances. A mere glance at shots taken on the spot shows that a sincere attempt at faithful reconstitution just failed: Saunders has unconsciously settled the "public" at such a distance as to create a "spectacular" perspective, while real Chinese execution have onlookers in close contact with executioners.
Topic: Decapitation 斬刑
Description: One of the most famous picture of decapitation in China, supposedly shot an instant before the blow. In fact, the scene is posed, and the onlookers focused on the real event: the camera ("watch the birdie..."). The tent at the background, and the canope, were purported to shelter the supervisors of the execution, who are shown here in a curious operatic guise. The rider at left is a very young boy, deprived of any martial look.
Date_of_event: 1870?

Biography
  1:Family_Name: SAUNDERS William

Geolocation
Asia --> China

Derniére modification le : 2014-10-21