The Entry—Chinese Theatre, San Francisco ([B?] 1708)

Taber, Isaiah W.

Notes: A photograph of an exceptional oil painting by Theodore Wores of a Chinese actor in the lobby of a theater in San Francisco. The actor is in the character of a general. Seated behind him, four musicians perform. This image was reproduced in 1891, probably in Harper's Weekly, but I have only seen clippings of the image, not the entire page.

This photograph may be the source of that engraving. The area below the actor's outstretched arm shows evidence of tampering in the negative (original to the print). Faint Chinese characters appear to float in the air, as if they had been unsuccessfully removed.

This is a striking image, all the more so because of the mysterious details that become apparent on close examination. Wores (1859–1939) was born in San Francisco and painted a number of canvases in the Chinese quarter of that city.

Albumen silver print on thin photographic paper, 4-3/4 by 7-1/2 inches, on a slightly larger MODERN mount. Captioned in a strip along the bottom of the negative. The caption is partially cut-off at the ends.

Edition + Condition: Image with slight lightness to top inch, else a fine vintage print.

Publication: San Francisco: Taber Photo. (ca. 1890).

Item No: #307719

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