"Edinburgh Ale" James Ballentine, Dr. George Bell, D.O. Hill 1843 - 1847

"Edinburgh Ale" is a calotype photograph by Hill and Adamson, a collaborative partnership between David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson, that captured the art world in the mid-19th century. This image, created between 1843 and 1847, depicts three men, James Ballentine, Dr. George Bell, and D.O. Hill, enjoying a drink together. The photograph showcases the artistic and technical innovations of the calotype process, achieving a realistic representation of the subjects and their surroundings, a testament to the photographers' skill and the emerging art form of photography. The image is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.