Gezicht op Saint Andrews before 1876

This is Thomas Rodger's photographic print of St. Andrews, made in the late 19th century. Photography in this era was a complex chemical process, a labor-intensive undertaking. The tonal range of the image hinges on the precise timing of its development, and the skillful manipulation of light-sensitive materials. This was at once a scientific and an artistic skill, deeply rooted in both chemistry and visual judgment. The result is a striking document, but also an aesthetic object of considerable beauty. Consider the social context: the rise of photography coincided with the expansion of tourism and the desire to capture and disseminate images of picturesque locales. Rodger catered to this market, producing views of Scotland that were both documentary and romantic. By focusing on the materiality and making of this photograph, we can appreciate it not just as a representation of a place, but as a testament to human ingenuity, and the intertwining of art, science, and commerce in the Victorian era.