Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van Samuel Bough, voorstellend een ceremonie in het Holyrood Park in Edinburgh before 1876

This is Thomas Rodger's photogravure reproduction of a painting by Samuel Bough, depicting a ceremony in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Rodger, who lived from 1833 to 1883, was a Scottish photographer known for his landscapes and portraits. The image captures a military parade. These events were more than just displays of military might; they were powerful tools in shaping national identity and projecting imperial power. The composition, with its masses of uniformed men, evokes both a sense of order and the potential for collective action. It invites us to consider how these displays influenced perceptions of Scottish identity, particularly in relation to the British Empire. How does the depiction of this militaristic display feel to you? Does it resonate with pride, or does it prompt reflection on the legacy of imperialism and its impact on Scottish society?