Dalmuir before 1878

This photogravure of Dalmuir House was made by Thomas Annan, a Scottish photographer, in the late 19th century. Annan is well known for his images of Glasgow, but here we see a grand country house. It’s presented as an isolated architectural structure, devoid of human activity. Annan's work is deeply intertwined with the social and institutional history of his time. In an era of rapid industrialization and urbanization, the Scottish countryside and its landed gentry represented an older, more stable social order. Annan’s choice to document these houses and buildings reflects a broader cultural interest in preserving Scotland’s heritage. However, it can also be seen as reinforcing existing social hierarchies, casting the elite as the custodians of Scottish culture. To fully understand Annan’s photogravure, we need to look at estate records, social histories of the landed gentry, and photographic archives. In doing so we can better understand the complex interplay between art, history, and social power.