Sir John Malcolm before 1893

This monochrome print of Sir John Malcolm is found within the pages of a book. Its contrasting tones create a striking image against the backdrop of aged paper. The materiality of the print, with its visible fibres and textures, adds a tactile dimension. The structure of the composition is immediately striking. The figure of Malcolm, depicted as a statue, occupies the left page, balanced by the dense text on the right. This layout invites us to consider the interplay between representation and narrative, image and text. The choice of depicting Malcolm as a statue raises questions about permanence and representation. The print engages with broader philosophical concerns about the construction of identity and historical memory. It challenges fixed meanings, inviting viewers to actively interpret the interplay between image and text. As an object of ongoing interpretation, the artwork reflects how cultural and philosophical discourses are embedded in its very form and structure.