Photography Horse Racing Track

A black-and-white photograph showing the horse racing track at the French embassy in the Legation Quarter in Beijing (Dongjiaominxiang 東交民巷). Between 1861 and 1959, the latter was established in the area of the Inner City (Neicheng 内城), east of present-day Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang 天安門廣場), and south of the Forbidden City (Gugong 故宫 or Zijincheng 紫禁城). In addition to the hippodrome, foreign powers built various infrastructures in the legations – from churches, hospitals, barracks, post offices and schools to banks and hotels. The hippodrome was located on the eastern edge of the legation along Chongwenmen Dajie Street (崇文門大街), also known as Hademen Street among Western expatriates. The photograph shows a race horse and rider in the starting position and a man making final preparations for the start of the race.

The photograph is the 61st of 449 photographs of Beijing and its surroundings in the album of Ivan Skušek Jr., purchased during his stay in Beijing (1914–1920). In the handwritten inventory of the album, the photograph is referred to as Renn-Platz. (DZ, MV)