Calton Hill 1904 - 1905

Editor: So, this is James McBey’s “Calton Hill,” an etching from around 1904 or 1905. It's a small print, really evocative. The darkness is so heavy; the shadows seem to stretch and consume everything. It's really moody! What do you see in this piece, beyond just the landscape? Curator: It’s interesting that you’re drawn to the mood because McBey's choice to depict Calton Hill at dusk—a space for public engagement, literally cast in shadow—speaks volumes. This was a time of intense urban change and social reform movements in Edinburgh. What does the dominance of darkness convey in relation to civic participation and accessibility? Editor: That's interesting; it’s not a bright, welcoming image. Maybe the shadows suggest a sense of exclusion? Or even secrets lurking beneath the surface? Curator: Precisely. Think about whose perspectives were historically prioritized in shaping urban spaces and whose were marginalized. McBey doesn't idealize the city; rather, the limited visibility highlights how certain histories and voices are often obscured. This evokes questions about urban development, public access, and perhaps the artist’s subtle critique of the era's social imbalances. Editor: I hadn't considered the social context so deeply, especially thinking about which populations get ignored. The gloom really makes you consider that! Curator: Consider too the solitary figure in the image. Are they walking toward us, into the shadows, or are they an onlooker of the spectacle of civic development itself? What power relations does that viewing position reveal? Editor: Now I see the figure could also represent that feeling of being left behind in that era... of just being on the margins. Thanks, I learned a lot. Curator: And I think your first emotional reaction highlights the potent atmosphere art creates when engaging with charged cultural settings.