Gezicht op groeve van Gilmerton, bij Edinburgh 1801 - 1802

James Fittler made this print of the Gilmerton Quarry near Edinburgh, using etching and engraving techniques. It presents an image of labor and leisure. Set against the backdrop of industrial activity, a group of men are gathered around a fire in a cave. What do we make of this scene? Are these the quarrymen taking a break, or is this an imagined community superimposed onto the site? The scene is reminiscent of depictions of the Cyclops from classical mythology. This composition romanticizes a harsh labor environment and the working class. At the same time, it offers a glimpse into the lives of those whose work shaped the landscape. It invites us to consider the human impact on the environment, and the narratives we construct around labor, class, and landscape.