Gezicht op Stornoway, Lewis, met links Lews Castle 1851 - 1880

James Valentine captured this image of Stornoway, Lewis, with Lews Castle using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Dominating the vista is the castle, a symbol of power and authority. In the visual language of architecture, castles evoke ideas of protection and control. Across cultures, from medieval fortresses to modern palaces, these structures are erected to project strength. The ships in the harbor may seem ordinary, but ships have always signified trade and exploration, connecting distant lands. We see these vessels constantly, yet, subconsciously, they resonate with mankind’s inherent drive to explore. Note how Valentine has positioned himself above the harbor. It engages with the viewer's subconscious and plays with emotions on a deep level. It is this dance between visibility and invisibility, familiarity and the unknown, that makes images so potent. These symbols resonate across time, re-emerging in our collective consciousness.