James Gordon, Dr. Hanna, and Mr. Cowan 1843 - 1847

"James Gordon, Dr. Hanna, and Mr. Cowan" is a calotype photograph by the Scottish partnership Hill & Adamson. Taken between 1843 and 1847, the image captures three men in a posed portrait. The men, likely acquaintances of the artists, are positioned in a seated arrangement, with a sense of formality and directness. The composition, typical of the calotype process, features a high level of detail and a soft, diffused light, giving the work an intimate, almost melancholic feel. The photograph is a testament to the artistic potential of the early photographic medium, a period that saw photography evolve rapidly from a technical novelty to a respected art form. This piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.