Thomson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of a tobacco spinner and seller. He was apprenticed to an optician and scientific instrument maker in 1851, and attended evening classes to study science. In April 1862, he set out for Singapore where his older brother William was a watchmaker and photographer. While jointly operating with his brother a business making chronometers and optical and nautical instruments, Thomson began using Singapore as a base from which to travel extensively throughout Asia, taking photographs and recording his observations. In 1868 he moved to Hong Kong and began his project to photograph the people of China. After a decade in Asia, he returned to Britain, where he published the results of his travels and operated a portrait studio in London.
Additional Artworks
From Art Alba Gallery
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KASM
Arty Miss, 2021
Ceramic
32 x 18 x 16 cm
US$2,000
-
Jorge Gasteazoro
Peňa de Bernal, 2003
Platinum
51 x 61 cm
US$4,000
-
Patrick Kolb
Sunset Bay, 2003
Gelatin Silver Print
28 x 36 cm
US$800
-
John Bellany
Mother and Child, 1998
Screenprint
46 x 38 cm
US$1,000
-
Li Nan
Standing, 1997
Gelatin Silver Print
51 x 41 cm
US$3,000
-
Douglas Thomson
Red Figure, 1990
Oil on board
56 x 46 cm
US$2,000
-
Patrick Caulfield
avenue, 1973
Screenprint
51 x 41 cm
US$1,000
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Patrick Caulfield
so everyday, 1973
Screenprint
51 x 41 cm
US$1,000
About the artist
John Thomson
Scottish
1837–1921
