Gullans Close, Canongate

Category

Library Item

Item no

19106

Title

Gullans Close, Canongate

Artist / maker

Channing, William

Date

1850

Size

25.2 x 17.6 cm

Type

Pencil work

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Gullan's Close - south side of the Canongate and is the first close east of St. Mary street. Gullan's Close has had various names and this version may be connected to the East Lothian place name Gullane. James Gullane and his descendants were stablers here.

William Channing's drawings and paintings from the bound volume of his 'Sketches in Edinburgh', give an artist's impression of tenement life in the mid 19th century. His drawings are glimpses into the past down the narrow Closes and alleyways of the Old Town. We see higgledy-piggledy houses and tenements towering skywards, laundry hanging from windows across the walkways and local characters talking in the streets.

Channing's delightful sketches are particularly valued for their representation of the architectural elements and details of buildings and closes now much changed or long since disappeared.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Chimneys

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Furnishings > Equipment > Washing lines

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Canongate

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Closes

Transport > Infrastructure > Cobbled streets

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights

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