Wall with four large painted characters (洗淨私心), aspects of the thoughts of Yan Xishan (閻錫山), Shanxi province

Wall with four large painted characters (洗淨私心), aspects of the thoughts of Yan Xishan (閻錫山), Shanxi province

Collection

Smith, Sydney

Identifier

LP01-61

Notes

University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: LP01-61. No caption in the album for this photograph, which may have been taken in Taiyuan (太原), Shansi (Shanxi) province. The characters painted on the wall behind four saplings are: 洗淨私心 (Translation: ‘Cleaning a selfish heart’ or ‘Cleanse selfishness’), being aspects of the thoughts of the warlord Yan Xishan (閻錫山 Yen Hsi-shan) (1883-1960). Yan attempted to spread his ideology through a network of semi-religious organizations, known as Heart-Washing Societies (洗心社). On the right is a guardian lion (shishi 石獅). See LP01-31, LP01-64 and LP01-65.

Estimated Date

1917

Material

Paper

Media

Black and white photograph