Astonishing modern looking 1869 portrait of an elderly woman in Canton. This was one of a group of four portraits Thompson took of an older group which he described thus "Two generations have now grown up around them, and their sons and grandsons have succeeded them as the bread-winners of the family. The old woman still busies herself in the lighter domestic duties; she is skilful with the needle, and invaluable as a nurse in time of sickness. Her hair has grown thin and white, but she still dresses it with neatness and care."
In this striking study he has her in profile, resting her chin on her crooked right index finger. The skin on her hands is parchment thin and shows her age. Her greying hair is gathered in a twist at the back and she is wearing large curled snake earrings and a garment of coarse woven material. It seems Thomson wanted to show all the hardship and toil the old woman had endured, but demonstrate her resilience too, capturing her inner dignity, serenity and even elegance.

From scan of the original 1869 glass negative, printed later. Thompson inscribed his name on the negative appearing at the mid point of the subjects back. Image size approx 7.5" x 6" on Japanese paper, archivally mounted on acid-free card, matted and in a black wooden frame.