Close No. 31 Saltmarket 1868

Thomas Annan made this photograph, "Close No. 31 Saltmarket," using photogravure. Saltmarket, in Glasgow, was one of the most densely populated, and poorest, districts in the city. Annan was hired to document these areas before they were demolished for urban renewal. The image is stark. The narrow alleyway, or “close,” is framed by looming buildings, their surfaces worn and weathered. It evokes a sense of confinement and the weight of history. Note how Annan captures the figures walking down the close, their presence adding to the sense of scale and human existence within this environment. They appear anonymous. Annan’s photographs raise questions about the ethics of representation. What does it mean to document the lives of the poor and working class, and who benefits from this documentation? How do these images shape public perceptions of poverty and urban life? The emotional impact is undeniable, inviting us to reflect on issues of social inequality.