Gezicht op Balmoral Castle bij Aberdeen in Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk before 1862

This is Francis Frith’s photograph, "Gezicht op Balmoral Castle bij Aberdeen in Schotland, Verenigd Koninkrijk", which translates to ‘View of Balmoral Castle near Aberdeen in Scotland, United Kingdom’. Frith, a committed Quaker, was one of the most important photographers of the 19th century. His successful photography studio produced views of the British Isles. During the 19th century, photography played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of British identity and its Empire. Frith's image of Balmoral Castle freezes a moment of Scottish history. The castle was a private residence of the British Royal Family, becoming a symbol of their connection to Scotland, and of British sovereignty. At the time, Scotland was dealing with increasing social unrest, displacement, and economic exploitation. Balmoral became a place to re-invent the British monarchy, staging an identity that looked backwards to feudalism, even as it embraced modernity. Consider how Frith’s photograph may offer a perspective on the politics of representation and power during a period of intense social change.