The Gargoyles, Stirling Castle 1898

This is David Young Cameron’s etching of ‘The Gargoyles, Stirling Castle’. Produced around the turn of the century, this print offers us a glimpse into the fascination with historic architecture during that period. Cameron, a Scotsman, clearly had an interest in the cultural history of his country. Etchings like this were often commissioned by wealthy patrons who were eager to own images of castles and other imposing buildings. We can see the romantic allure of this architecture in the way Cameron renders the scene. The gargoyles themselves, rendered in great detail, give the castle a sense of history. The vantage point offers a privileged view from the castle ramparts. A flag flies overhead, signaling the power of the institution. But who are the figures standing in the distance? And what are we to make of the dark void of the passageway behind? These are some of the questions art historians consider when examining works like this. We look at who made it, who paid for it, and what the image tells us about the culture of its time.