Lost Japan: New Book Sheds Light on Enigmatic Photographer Felice Beato
Published in a limited run of 1,500 copies by Electa, 'Lost Japan' sheds light on the enigmatic 19th-century photographer Felice Beato. The book, penned by Rossella Menegazzo, an associate professor at the University of Milan, features images from the Alinari Archives. Beato, who was born in Venice in 1832, relocated to Corfu around 1834-35. He acquired his first camera at the age of 19 and later teamed up with James Robertson, marrying his sister Matilde. Together, they captured the Crimean War in 1855 and the Indian Rebellion in 1858. Following their split in 1860, Beato reported on the Second Opium War and gained fame in Japan. He passed away in Florence on January 29, 1909, where his tomb was found in 2012. Menegazzo emphasizes that Beato's narrative remains unfinished.
Key facts
- Felice Beato was born in Venice in 1832.
- His family moved to Corfu around 1834-35.
- He bought his first camera at age 19.
- He partnered with James Robertson, who married his sister Matilde.
- They photographed the Crimean War in 1855 and the Indian Rebellion in 1858.
- Beato went to China in 1860 to cover the Second Opium War.
- He moved to Japan with Charles Wirgman and produced hand-colored albumen prints.
- His tomb was discovered in Florence's San Miniato al Monte cemetery in 2012; he died on January 29, 1909.
Entities
Artists
- Felice Beato
- James Robertson
- Antonio Beato
- Charles Wirgman
- Adolfo Farsari
- Kusakabe Kimbei
Institutions
- Electa
- Archivi Alinari
- University of Milan
- The Illustrated London News
- San Miniato al Monte
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Corfu
- Malta
- Constantinople
- Crimea
- India
- Calcutta
- Luxor
- China
- Japan
- Yokohama
- Burma
- Florence