Daimyo Shimazu Nariakira, The Subject Of Japan’s Earliest Surviving Photograph (1857)
Through their economic activities in Nagasaki Bay, Dutch businessmen introduced photography to Japan. Ensei-Kikijutsu was published in 1854 by Kawamoto Komin, the first Japanese author to write on photography. This daguerreotype of Shimazu Nariakira (1809 – 1858) was created around three years after this publication, making it the allegedly first finished image from Japan. As a feudal ruler, the “daimyo” Nariakira was a member of the Satsuma fiefdom. Britannica notes that his adoption of Western military techniques and armaments contributed to Satsuma becoming one of the strongest fiefs in this country and positioned the man in a position to lead the overthrow of the Tokugawa state and establishment of a new imperial central government in 1868.
Daimyo Shimazu Nariakira The Subject Of Japans Earliest Surviving Photograph 1857
Queen Victoria (1857)
Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901) guided England to industrial dominance in Europe, strengthened the country’s economy, and significantly increased the country’s imperial sphere of influence. When she died, she had essentially conquered a large portion of the world. This image, which was previously misidentified as having been taken by J. Mayall, was actually taken by Leonida Caldesi throughout the month of April 1857. Caldesi would go on to capture several likenesses of the Royals during his career.
Queen Victoria 1857
