Westthorn before 1878

Thomas Annan made this photograph of Westthorn House in Scotland sometime in the second half of the 19th century. Annan was hired to document the old parts of the city of Glasgow that were being torn down and replaced by modern structures. The photograph of Westthorn House, which was later incorporated into a book, can be seen as an elegy for a disappearing way of life. Annan’s picture depicts a mansion dating back to the 16th century, evoking a sense of history and tradition. In this sense, Annan’s work becomes a commentary on the social transformations of his time, a society undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. To understand this artwork better, we can consult historical archives, city planning documents, and social surveys. These resources could shed light on the forces that reshaped Glasgow and the cultural attitudes towards progress and preservation in 19th-century Scotland.