[Peel Ross Fishing] 1856 - 1859

This oval photograph, titled "Peel Ross Fishing," was created by Horatio Ross, a Scottish sportsman and early pioneer of photography. Ross's position as a member of the British upper class shaped his access to both the technology and leisure time required for photography and sport. Fishing, like hunting, was a pursuit closely tied to notions of masculinity, class, and the control of natural resources. Ross’s work provides insight into the cultural values of his time. He seemed to be aware of the ways photography could be used to document his life, stating that he “only wished to take a few simple things.” Note the subject’s calm posture as he is perched on a rock in the middle of a stream, the image evokes a sense of romanticism. It maintains a traditional narrative of man in harmony with nature, while quietly reinforcing social hierarchies. Consider how Ross’s personal passion intertwines with the broader societal norms of 19th-century Britain. What does it mean to capture a simple moment, laden with social meaning, through the new medium of photography?