James Gordon, William Hanna D.D. and 'Mr. Cowan' 1843 - 1847

David Octavius Hill made this calotype of James Gordon, William Hanna, and ‘Mr. Cowan’ at some point in the 1840s in Scotland. Hill's approach to photography was deeply embedded in the social and cultural context of his time. As a painter turned photographer, Hill was interested in the power of images to document and shape public opinion. This portrait reflects the cultural values of Victorian Scotland. The men are dressed in formal attire, signifying their social standing and respectability. What I find fascinating here is the way Hill uses the new medium of photography to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the subjects and the viewer. These men were leading figures in the Free Church of Scotland, which broke away from the established Church of Scotland in 1843. This image might have served as a tool for solidifying the identity and promoting the cause of the Free Church at a time of social and religious upheaval. By studying historical records and cultural artifacts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and political forces that shaped Hill’s work and its reception.