Alan Ramsay's House, High Street

Category

Library Item

Item no

19124

Title

Alan Ramsay's House, High Street

Artist / maker

Channing, William

Date

1854

Size

25.2 x 17.6 cm

Type

Pencil work

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Between 1711 and 1725 the poet Allan Ramsay resided, and ran his bookshop in premises on Edinburgh's High Street, opposite the head of Niddry's Wynd, now Niddry Street. Following the success of his pastoral work 'The Gentle Shepherd' Ramsay moved to premises further up the High street in the now demolished Luckenbooths.

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 > Stairways

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Business > Service industry > Shops

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > High Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Drainpipes

Transport > Infrastructure > Pavements

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights

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