Dr. Foulis 1843 - 1847

Between 1843 and 1848, Hill and Adamson created this calotype print, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicting Dr. Foulis. As pioneers of photography, David Hill and Robert Adamson captured portraits that provide a glimpse into the social strata of 19th-century Scotland. This portrait of Dr. Foulis offers more than just a likeness; it presents a narrative of status and identity. Think about the limited access to photography at the time, which was largely confined to the privileged. Dr. Foulis is dressed in a dark coat and a patterned scarf. He holds a pair of gloves, all visual cues which tell us about the sitter's social standing and profession. This image, with its sepia tones, invites reflection on the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. As we look at Dr. Foulis, let’s consider the gazes, both given and withheld, and what they reveal about the relationship between the subject, the photographers, and us, the viewers, across time.