THOMAS ANNAN - Old Vennel Off High Street

THE ARTWORK

Old Vennel off High Street by Thomas Annan is a poignant photograph from his famous series The Old Closes and Streets of Glasgow, taken between 1868 and 1871. This particular image captures one of Glasgow’s narrow, dark alleyways, or "vennels," located off the bustling High Street. The photograph documents the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions of the city’s slums during a period of rapid industrialization.

Annan’s image of the Old Vennel portrays the grim reality of urban poverty, with its crumbling stone buildings and dimly lit passageways. The composition, with its strong contrasts of light and shadow, draws attention to the stark textures of the worn-down structures, evoking a sense of decay and hardship.

This photograph, like others in the series, goes beyond simple documentation, offering a powerful social commentary on the living conditions of Glasgow’s working class, while also highlighting Annan’s technical skill and sensitivity to the plight of the city’s poor.

THE ARTIST

Thomas Annan (1829–1887) was a pioneering Scottish photographer best known for his documentary work capturing the changing urban landscape of Glasgow in the 19th century. He began his career as an engraver but transitioned to photography in the 1850s, becoming one of the first photographers in Scotland to use the new medium. Annan initially focused on portraits and landscapes, gaining recognition for his technical skill and artistic approach.

His most significant contribution came in the 1860s and 1870s when he was commissioned to document the slums of Glasgow’s old town before its demolition. This series, The Old Closes and Streets of Glasgow, is a haunting portrayal of the city's poorest neighborhoods, capturing narrow, dilapidated streets and the harsh living conditions of the working class. These images stand out not only for their historical value but also for their stark realism, evoking empathy and social awareness.

Annan's work extends beyond documentary photography; he also excelled in landscapes and architectural studies. He was a master of early photographic techniques like albumen prints and carbon printing, ensuring the durability and clarity of his images. His work laid the groundwork for later documentary photography, blending artistry with social commentary in a powerful way.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit