Church of Sts. Peter and Paul

Art Historical Context

Step into the vivid world of early photography with James Robertson's *Church of Sts. Peter and Paul* (1855–1856), an albumen print capturing architectural grandeur amid historical turmoil. Robertson, a pioneering British photographer, produced this 21.5 × 27 cm image on a larger mount, showcasing the church's imposing facade with remarkable clarity and tonal depth. Albumen prints, made by coating paper with egg whites sensitized with silver salts, were the gold standard of the 1850s, yielding rich contrasts and fine details that brought distant scenes to life for viewers back home. Created during the Crimean War (1853–1856), this photograph likely documents a site in Crimea, where Robertson worked alongside Felice Beato to record the conflict's landscapes and structures. The church, a symbol of Orthodox resilience, stands as a serene counterpoint to the war's devastation, highlighting photography's emerging role in journalism and historical documentation. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CPH Department through the generous gift of Michael and Jane Wilson, this work exemplifies mid-19th-century innovation. It invites us to ponder how such images bridged continents, preserving moments of cultural permanence in an era of upheaval. (198 words)

About the Artist

James Robertson · 1813–1881

James Downie Robertson, known professionally as James D. Robertson (1931–2010), was a distinguished Scottish painter whose vibrant depictions of the rugged West Coast landscapes profoundly shaped modern Scottish art. Born in Cowdenbeath, Fife, as one of twin boys, his family relocated to Glasgow at the outset of World War II, where he attended Hillhead High School. Robertson studied at the Glasgow...