About this artwork
In 1871, Burns was commissioned by Edinburgh's City Improvement Trust to photograph the derelict closes between the Old Quadrangle of the university and the Cowgate, prior to their demolition later in the year. According to a contemporary minute, Burns's twenty-six photographs excited "deep interest" as a "faithful record of this old historic part of the City which in a few days will be entirely swept away".
Updated before 2020
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artist:Archibald Burns (about 1831 - 1880) Scottish
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title:The Cowgate, Edinburgh
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date created:1871
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materials:Salt print
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measurements:23.4 x 18.6 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Gift of Mrs. Riddell in memory of Peter Fletcher Riddell 1985
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accession number:PGP R 214
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gallery:
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subject:
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Archibald Burns
Archibald Burns
Archibald Burns was a professional photographer in Edinburgh, best known for his landscape and architectural images. He published an illustrated book in 1868, called 'Picturesque Bits from Old Edinburgh'. This was a photographic guide to the Old Town, which paid attention to social issues such as...
