China, circa 1917
by Byron Thomas Prideaux

Seated in a row at the school’s entrance, these children (possibly with their teacher?) of varying ages were caught in a candid moment. Taken by the amateur photographer Byron Thomas Prideaux, it is clear that he was not able to maintain order among the ranks of the children when he took this image. Yawns, tears, funny faces, drowsiness – the lack of organization paradoxically created a rare instantaneous shot presenting a delightful gallery of the faces of childhood.