The Back Wynd 1899

"The Back Wynd," taken in 1899 by James Craig Annan, captures a snapshot of a narrow, cluttered alleyway in a Scottish town. The photo, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Annan's mastery of the Pictorialist style of photography. The composition emphasizes the rough texture of the stone walls and the stark contrast between the dark alley and the brighter sky. The image's intimate scale, depicting everyday life in the shadow of industrialization, exemplifies the realism and social commentary often found in Annan's work.