Gezicht op de ruïne van Gleaston Castle before 1880

This is a photograph of Gleaston Castle made by H.M. & Co. Wright. While photography can seem like a purely technological medium, it’s also a craft. Think of the labour involved in setting up the shot, developing the image, and making prints. In this case, the print is bound into a book; photography in this period was often deployed to document landmarks, in effect inventorying national heritage. The tones of the image, from light grey to near black, result from a chemical interaction, each print unique. The texture of the paper also plays a role, catching the light and softening the detail. Seen this way, the photograph is not just a record of Gleaston Castle, but an object in its own right. The artist and printer invite us to consider the work involved in capturing and preserving this vision of the past.