Gezicht op Argyle Street in Glasgow, links een atelier van een onbekende fotograaf 1851 - 1880

This albumen print of Argyle Street in Glasgow was produced by James Valentine. It shows a bustling street scene, achieved through the wet collodion process, a popular photographic method of the time, where glass plates were coated with chemicals, exposed in the camera, and then developed immediately. The final print on paper highlights the era's rapid industrial expansion and urban life. Note the depth of field achieved with early photographic methods. The focus on the details of the architecture, the crowds, and horse-drawn carriages speaks volumes about the labour and commerce of Glasgow. Valentine’s choice of photography places it within a context of reproducibility and accessibility. The material and the making reflects the transition of art from unique, handcrafted objects to mass-produced images, impacting both the perception and consumption of art in society.