Gezicht op Leith c. 1862 - 1867

This photograph titled "Gezicht op Leith" was made by Archibald Burns. While the exact date of its creation remains unknown, its visual codes offer a glimpse into the social and institutional histories of its time. The image depicts an expansive view of Leith, a port town in Scotland. As we consider the country and time in which it was made, several cultural factors might have influenced the artwork. Scotland’s geography, religious history, class structure, and economic dependencies of the British Empire played a part. The institutional histories of photography itself would also have been key. The photograph would have played a role in shaping perceptions and documenting the transforming urban landscape. To understand this work better, historians might consult archives, period newspapers, and other visual records. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.