Photograph Cochinchina und China: "Hand eines reichen Annamiten" [Cochinchina and China: hand of a rich Annamite], taken during the East Asia expedition of the “imperial royal mission to East Asia,” 1868–1871

Wilhelm Burger (1844–1920) made a name for himself as an expedition photographer. One of his big expeditions (1869–1870) led him via Siam (Thailand) to Japan and China. 208 of the photographs from this “imperial royal mission to East Asia” were reproduced as Albumen prints and kept in an elaborately designed folder for the imperial family. The photos provide insight into the life at the court of the King of Siam and daily life in the visited countries. Latest findings showed that Burger also purchased photographic plates for his collection during his journey, such as the photo of the “left hand of an Annamite” in Saigon on 26 May 1869. The photo fascinates with its strange aesthetics. Not the portrait of a Vietnamese is in the center of the image but his hand with incredibly long fingernails, which aim at emphasizing the wealth of the beringed man. Shortly after his return in 1871, Burger was honored with the title “imperial royal photographer at court.” The MAK Library and Works on Paper Collection owns 342 of his photographs.