Rev. Robert Aitken, Dundee 1843 - 1847

This calotype was created by Hill and Adamson in Scotland between 1843 and 1848. It portrays Reverend Robert Aitken of Dundee. At this time, the Scottish Church was undergoing intense internal conflict. This new photographic process became a powerful tool in documenting those caught in the schism. Hill and Adamson were particularly interested in capturing the character and intellect of their sitters. Look at the reverend's posture: his hands clasped over the walking stick suggest humility, but his piercing gaze and set jaw hint at a fiery resolve. The calotype process itself, with its soft focus and grainy texture, lends a certain gravitas to the image, evoking the weight of history and the passage of time. It is as if we are peering into the past, trying to decipher the complexities of a man caught in the midst of profound social and religious change. This portrait invites us to consider the intersection of faith, identity, and the evolving technologies that shape our understanding of each other.