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National Galleries of Scotland on Flickr

“The key goals of The Commons on Flickr are to firstly show you hidden treasures in the world’s public photography archives, and secondly to show how your input and knowledge can help make these collections even richer” – The Commons statement.

Since its inception on January 16th, 2008, The Commons were joined by such international art depositories as Brooklyn Museum, The Library of Congress, National Media Museum, and others. The idea was, to quote Flickr again,

“1. To increase access to publicly-held photography collections, and

2. To provide a way for the general public to contribute information and knowledge”.

National Galleries of Scotland has become the latest art depository to join The Commons – and with some truly impressive and rare photographs. I chose ‘Queen Victoria on ‘Fyvie’ with John Brown at Balmoral’ because apparently there still abounds speculation about the nature and the actual fact of their close companionship. As can be seen, though, the fact is not to be doubted – as neither is the nature: it is hard to believe that this deeply mournful lady would let another man be as close to her as her late husband was.

There are many early photographic prints made in different parts of the world. An 1858 photo of the Egyptian pyramids and the Sphinx, then still half-buried in the sand. An 1852 photo of the portico of the Amiens Cathedral in France. Several Italian prints, one showing an angle of the Ducal Palace’s portico in Venice. Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1885 portrait. And Greyfriars Bobby, famed for his exceptional devotion to his master.

This collection which we undoutebly will see growing, as well as augmented by collections from the friendly institutions, offers a unique insight into 19th c. Scotland, its great men, its towns, and landscape. The photos you are to see are all the more precious because they would still be among the earliest photographic images. In a flash, you can find yourself in the heart of the country that gave the world Byron, Burns, Scott, Stevenson, among others. A great initiative from Flickr, and a fantastic response from all participating institutions and Flickr members.

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