The Old Justiciary Courthouse, Glasgow 1911

Muirhead Bone's print captures the Old Justiciary Courthouse in Glasgow with a striking emphasis on its architectural form. The courthouse, depicted in meticulous detail, dominates the composition through its imposing structure. Bone masterfully uses a play of light and shadow to highlight the courthouse's symmetrical facade, drawing the eye across its classical design. The precision of line work in this etching not only defines the building's solid structure but also reveals a network of scaffolding, suggesting an ongoing process of maintenance or modification. The materiality of the courthouse contrasts with the organic forms of the river and sky. This contrast invites us to consider the interplay between nature and the built environment. The courthouse stands as a testament to civic order, challenged by the dynamic elements of its surroundings.