Provanhall 1893

"Provanhall" is an etching by David Young Cameron, created sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cameron, a prominent figure in the Etching Revival, often depicted architectural scenes with a romantic sensibility. In this print, we see a crumbling archway, framing a view of the historic Provan Hall in Glasgow. The scene is populated by figures who appear to be women. One stands in the foreground, contemplative, while another is placed in the centre of the composition. What I find compelling here is the way Cameron uses shadow and light to evoke a sense of history and perhaps a little melancholy. The women almost feel like ghosts of the past, reminders of the lives lived within these walls. It asks us to consider the narratives of women that are often overshadowed. The etching encourages us to reflect on the passage of time and the enduring presence of the past in our present."