Closes 97 and 103 Saltmarket 1868

Thomas Annan made this photograph, Closes 97 and 103 Saltmarket, using a laborious wet collodion process. Look closely at the built environment captured. The rough textures of the stone buildings loom over the grimy courtyard, emphasizing the harsh realities of working-class life in 19th-century Glasgow. The very act of photography, with its then-complex chemistry and equipment, becomes a tool for social documentation. Annan's skill lies not just in capturing the scene, but in conveying the weight of the place and the lives lived there. The stark contrast between light and shadow, a direct result of the photographic process, heightens the scene's drama, drawing attention to the labor and the social conditions of the time. By focusing on these overlooked spaces, Annan challenges conventional artistic subjects, elevating the everyday to the realm of art. It's a potent reminder that the materials and methods of creation are intrinsically linked to the artwork's meaning and impact.