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Newhaven Fishwives, Jeanie Wilson and Annie Linton, 1845. Creator: David Octavius Hill (British
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Newhaven Fishwives, Jeanie Wilson and Annie Linton, 1845. Creator: David Octavius Hill (British
Newhaven Fishwives, Jeanie Wilson and Annie Linton, 1845. Hill and Adamsons four-year collaboration yielded around 3, 000 photographs, including portraits of members of the middle and upper classes and, in what may be the first social documentary project, of the working class. Included in their survey of contemporary life were numerous portraits of the fishermens wives in the villages around Edinburgh. The women, garbed in distinctive striped skirts and aprons, cleaned their husbands catch, then carried it in wicker baskets to the city where they offered it for sale. They were reported to be hard bargainers. Hill and Adamson respectfully recorded not only their likenesses but also their names
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Media ID 19639069
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1802 1870 1821 1848 David Octavius Hill David Octavius Hill British Robert Adamson Robert Adamson British
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photo print, titled "Newhaven Fishwives, Jeanie Wilson and Annie Linton, 1845" captures a significant moment in history through the lens of David Octavius Hill. Hill and his collaborator Robert Adamson embarked on a remarkable four-year journey that resulted in an impressive collection of approximately 3,000 photographs. Their work encompassed portraits of individuals from various social classes, marking one of the earliest attempts at social documentary photography. Among their subjects were the hardworking fishermens' wives residing in the villages surrounding Edinburgh. Dressed in distinctive striped skirts and aprons, these resilient women would diligently clean their husbands' catches before transporting them to the city for sale. Known for their shrewd bargaining skills, they played a vital role in sustaining their families' livelihoods. Hill and Adamson approached this project with great respect and admiration for both the women's appearances and identities. Not only did they capture striking likenesses but also recorded each woman's name—a testament to their commitment to preserving individual stories within a broader historical context. This particular photograph is an exquisite salted paper print derived from a calotype negative—an early photographic process pioneered by William Henry Fox Talbot. Preserved by The Cleveland Museum of Art, it stands as a testament to Hill's artistic vision and dedication to documenting everyday life during the 19th century British society. Through this image, we are transported back in time—witnessing not just two fishwives but glimpses into an entire community shaped by laborious yet resilient lives along Scotland's coastal regions.
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