Kloostergangen onder de Bute Hall van de universiteit van Glasgow before 1891

This is an anonymous photograph of the Cloister Arches under Bute Hall at the University of Glasgow. The absence of a known artist invites us to consider the social and cultural dynamics at play. During the Victorian era, architectural photography was often intertwined with imperial ambitions and the documentation of civic achievements, or as a reminder of the past. These photographs served as a powerful tool for shaping perceptions of progress, order, and cultural identity. As you look at this image, think about who was behind the camera and what their intentions were. Did they seek to celebrate the university's architectural grandeur, or were they simply documenting a space of learning and contemplation? Think of the lives that have passed through these corridors, each individual carrying their own stories, struggles, and aspirations. Photographs like these invite us to reflect on our own place within history's grand narrative and encourages us to question the stories we tell ourselves about progress, knowledge, and belonging.