Bardowie before 1878

Editor: Here we have "Bardowie," made before 1878, by Thomas Annan. It’s an image within a book, perhaps documenting the estate? It's really interesting how the image quality almost makes it look like a reflection in water. What do you see in this piece? Curator: As a materialist, my eye is drawn to the process itself. We have a photographic image reproduced within a printed book. This positions photography not purely as high art, but as a tool for documentation and dissemination. Consider the labour involved: the photographer's skill, the printing process, the bookbinder's craft. Editor: That's interesting. So, it's not just the image itself, but all the steps involved in creating and sharing it? Curator: Precisely. What kind of paper was used? Was it mass-produced or handmade? How did that affect the cost and availability of this book? These are all material concerns which speak to the social context of the work. What does the building photographed signify? Who was meant to consume this image and its accompanying text? Editor: So, the intended audience affects its value. Does the text beside the image contribute to this as well? Curator: Absolutely! The typography itself is a product of labor, skill, and technological constraints. Consider the choice of font, the layout of the text, how these design decisions contribute to the overall message. This work highlights the social relations of production and consumption of both the image and the book, moving us beyond just aesthetic appreciation. Editor: I see now! So, analyzing it from a materialist perspective opens up this artwork way beyond just the image on the page. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Indeed. Focusing on the materials and production methods reveals so much about the society and culture from which the work emerged, which expands what we see in this work and within this collection.