Bell Street in Glasgow, gezien vanuit High Street 1868 - 1877

Thomas Annan made this photograph, "Bell Street in Glasgow, gezien vanuit High Street," sometime in the late 19th century. Annan's work is deeply intertwined with the social issues of his time, particularly the rapid urbanization and its impact on the working class. This image captures Bell Street, a narrow road lined with tall buildings disappearing into a misty distance. Small groups of people are gathered on the sidewalks. The hazy light softens the scene. Annan was commissioned to document the slums of Glasgow before their demolition and redevelopment. His photographs, though intended as records of urban decay, are infused with a sense of human presence. They prompt us to think about the lives of the people who lived in these conditions and their experiences. It is a powerful reminder of the social inequalities of the time. It invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of urban life, and the ways in which photography can both reveal and conceal the experiences of marginalized communities.