A formal carbon print portrait of Donald Cuthbertson by the Scottish photographer Thomas Annan, capturing the precise aesthetic of Victorian-era portraiture.

This photographic reproduction captures the likeness of Donald Cuthbertson, a figure associated with the commercial and social circles of nineteenth-century Glasgow. Thomas Annan, a Scottish photographer known for his documentation of the city, produced this work as part of a larger collection of portraits. The image demonstrates the technical precision of the carbon print process, which Annan utilised to ensure stability and tonal depth in his reproductions of painted portraits.

The composition follows the conventions of formal Victorian portraiture. The subject is presented in a bust-length format, set against a dark, neutral background that directs attention to the facial features and the texture of the clothing. The lighting is controlled, creating a soft transition between the highlights on the face and the deeper shadows of the attire. This approach provides a clear, objective record of the sitter, consistent with the documentary aims of Annan's practice.

Annan was active during a period when photography began to function as a primary tool for historical record-keeping. His work often bridged the gap between traditional portrait painting and the emerging medium of photography. By reproducing painted portraits through photographic means, he allowed for the wider circulation of images that were previously confined to private collections or institutional walls. This specific print reflects the meticulous nature of his craft, showing a high degree of clarity in the rendering of the subject's features. The work is an example of the intersection between nineteenth-century portraiture and the development of photographic reproduction techniques in Scotland.