Holyrood Abbey en Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, gezien vanaf Calton Hill c. 1870 - 1886

Editor: This is a photograph from the late 19th century, taken by John Patrick. It depicts Holyrood Abbey and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh as seen from Calton Hill. It is a sepia toned image that emphasizes architectural mass and landscape, the heavy stone seems monumental. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: Looking at the materiality of this photographic print, and the labor involved in its production, it makes me think about the rise of photography during this period. How did this new technology alter the ways landscapes, labor, and cities were viewed and consumed? Notice the detailed rendering of the stonework against the backdrop of Calton Hill. Consider how the relative ease of producing photographic prints, compared to painting, influenced access to visual representations of iconic places. Editor: So, you are saying it's about access? Curator: Precisely. This image becomes more than just a pretty picture. It signifies a shift in how images were created, distributed, and consumed. The rise of photography impacted artistic labor. We can consider, also, what materials were used to create this piece, from the photographic paper to the chemicals employed in the developing process, understanding that their acquisition and disposal might create social implications. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the material aspect influencing our experience of the image so directly. Curator: Yes. Photography also offered a new tool for documenting industrialization and urbanization, reshaping our perception of labor within changing landscapes. The proliferation of photographic images played a critical role in shaping social attitudes towards progress. Editor: This definitely shifts my view of the photograph, seeing it less as just a picturesque view and more as a document entangled with social and industrial changes. Curator: Exactly, we've touched on materiality, production, labor and consumption – it gives you so much more to think about.