Campbell of Monzie 1843 - 1847

This is "Campbell of Monzie," a calotype print made between 1843 and 1848 by the Scottish partnership Hill and Adamson. During that time, photography was in its infancy, and portraiture was mostly reserved for the upper classes. The sitter, swathed in a dark coat, gazes to the left with a serious, almost melancholy expression. In his hands, he holds what seems to be a baton, perhaps a mark of his status or profession. The sepia tones and the soft focus of the calotype lend the image a sense of timelessness. In the mid-19th century, this aesthetic spoke to Victorian ideals of dignity and restraint, capturing an era deeply invested in social hierarchy and representation. Hill and Adamson, in their collaborative work, captured not just likenesses but also the spirit of their time. "Campbell of Monzie" reflects the sitter’s identity and also invites us to consider the social and artistic conventions that shaped early photographic portraiture.