Dr. Jabez Bunting 1843 - 1847

Dr. Jabez Bunting was captured in this calotype print by Hill and Adamson, active during the dawn of photography in Scotland. In this period, photography was not merely a technological advancement but also a tool deeply intertwined with societal perceptions and power dynamics. Bunting, a prominent figure in the Methodist Church, is presented with a stern countenance that reflects his conservative stance against the reform movements of the time. The very act of capturing his image through this new medium speaks to his status and the church's influence in Victorian society. Hill and Adamson, while documenting figures like Bunting, also captured the lives of ordinary people, creating a complex narrative of 19th-century Scotland. This portrait invites us to reflect on how photography has historically been used to canonize certain figures, often sidelining the stories of those who challenged the status quo. It encourages a critical look at who gets remembered and how.