Glenarbuck before 1878

Editor: This gelatin silver print, called "Glenarbuck," is attributed to Thomas Annan and dates to before 1878. It's strikingly architectural. The photograph features the corner of a building, seemingly shot from below, and I'm drawn to the lines and stark contrast. What do you see in this piece, considered from a formalist perspective? Curator: Precisely. Let us observe closely how Annan uses light and shadow to define form. Notice the pronounced vertical lines created by the building's corner and windows. They establish a rigid structure, yes? But look closer, these lines intersect at different angles and the sharp contrast between light and dark—what effect do these formal elements produce? Editor: I see it. The strong verticals do make it feel quite structured and almost imposing, but the angle softens that severity. It creates a sort of dynamic tension. Curator: Indeed. The compositional choices present a duality—rigidity and dynamism existing within the same frame. Consider also the tonality of the print. The variations in grayscale render the materiality of the building’s surface and contribute a sense of depth and atmosphere, although we lose specificity in architectural features. Are these choices aesthetic, documentary, or something in between? Editor: That's an interesting point. I was thinking more about the composition itself, not necessarily what it represents. Curator: Yet, it's in understanding how form shapes our understanding that formalism reveals its strength. Through careful consideration of these elements, one may arrive at novel ways to approach familiar subjects. Editor: I appreciate you pointing out those visual strategies and their effect. It shifts my understanding beyond just what the image depicts.