This is a view outside the north-east gate of the Chinese City. In 'A photographer in Old Peking, 1985', pp15-16, Morrison recalled: 'Walking was permitted on many sections of the wall. Here, high above the city, one could walk for miles ... On the moat side were many duck farms ... On the city side lay houses and courtyards, small factories ... open grassy areas and some cultivated land'.

The barbicans above the various city gates in the inner city wall were constructed in 1437. Those above the outer city gates were built in 1564. From 1915 the barbicans began to be dismantled and by 1969 none were left.

This is one of a large number of photographs that were taken by Hedda Morrison (1908-1991) during her years of residence in Peking (Beijing), China 1933-1946.

Exhibited in 'An Asian experience: 1933-67', organised by the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Fisher Library Foyer, University of Sydney, 12-30 May 1986.

Reproduced in Hedda Morrison, 'A photographer in Old Peking', Hong Kong, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1985, p. 25, with the caption: 'Scene within a city gate'.

Black and white photograph showing a pot market outside the north-east gate of the Chinese City wall. There are leafless trees in the fore, middle and background. Ceramic pots are stacked up at different points. An arched gate in the background leads into the Chinese City. A number of people are walking or pulling rickshaws through the archway. To the right and left of the gate are low buildings with tiled roofs.

Photographed: Morrison, Hedda;

Made: 1933 - 1946

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315 mm

285 mm