Jules Itier facts for kids
Jules Alphonse Eugène Itier (born 1802, died 1877) was a French government worker who loved taking pictures. He worked as a customs inspector, but he was also a very early photographer. He used a special camera called a daguerreotype camera.
Jules Itier traveled a lot. Between 1842 and 1843, he visited places like Senegal, Guadeloupe, and India. During these trips, he took many of the first-ever daguerreotype photographs in those regions.
Jules Itier's Journey to China
In December 1843, Jules Itier went on an important trip to China. He traveled with a French diplomat named Théodore de Lagrené. Lagrené was sent by the French king, Louis Philippe, to sign a trade agreement with China.
Documenting the Treaty of Whampoa
While in China, Itier's job was to record the signing of this important agreement, known as the Treaty of Whampoa. He also took many daguerreotypes of Chinese people and the beautiful scenery in the Guangdong area.
Even though some early cameras might have reached China a little earlier, Jules Itier's photographs are the oldest ones of China that we still have today. This makes his work very special and important for history.
What Happened After His Trip?
After his journey to China, Jules Itier went back to France. He wrote a long book about his travels and what he saw. This book helps us understand more about his adventures and the places he visited.
