Garscadden before 1878

Thomas Annan produced this photogravure entitled 'Garscadden'. At this time, Scotland's rapid industrialization was transforming both its landscape and social structures, creating stark divisions between the wealthy and the working class. Annan's photographs often captured these societal shifts. While ostensibly documenting architecture, his images also provide a glimpse into the lives of those who inhabited these spaces. 'Garscadden' is of a grand residence, a stark reminder of the disparities in living conditions. What does it mean to document a building, a home, without showing those who dwell there? Annan seems to emphasize the physical structure while eliding the human element. This choice, conscious or not, underscores the power dynamics inherent in looking, in seeing, and in being seen. 'Garscadden' remains a potent reminder of the complex interplay between place, power, and representation during a pivotal moment in Scotland’s history. It invites us to reflect on how we look, what we choose to see, and what remains just out of frame.