House, Nos.26-32 Buchanan Street, Glasgow 1895

David Young Cameron etched "House, Nos. 26-32 Buchanan Street, Glasgow," capturing a moment in the city's architectural narrative. Notice the hand motif supporting the entablature, a symbol resonating through centuries. Consider the "manus Dei," the hand of God in early Christian art, often emerging from clouds to bestow blessings or bear witness. Yet, here, the hand supports commerce, a secular, architectural element. This echoes the ancient Roman use of such motifs in civic structures, suggesting power and stability. The hand’s placement, subtly bearing the weight of the building, evokes a sense of responsibility, an almost subconscious connection to the human effort involved in constructing and maintaining urban life. These symbols are not static; they evolve, carrying forward collective memories, adapting to new cultural landscapes. The hand reminds us of the enduring human connection to the spaces we inhabit, a silent dialogue between past and present.