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David Octavius Hill

(1802-1870), Landscape and portrait painter; pioneer photographer

Sitter associated with 22 portraits
Artist associated with 382 portraits
David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson were among the first in the world to grasp the artistic possibilities of photography. They were brought together at the Disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843, a significant event that laid the foundations for the Free Church of Scotland. Adamson photographed the participants as studies for a proposed painting by Hill, but the two men quickly realised the potential of the new medium as an end in itself and not just as a means to an end. Between 1843 and Adamson's death in 1848, they made over 3,000 calotype images, of Edinburgh's great and good, of fisherfolk and soldiers, of visiting celebrities and of landscapes and buildings.

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Fishermen, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(186)

Fishermen

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(186)

Newhaven Pilot's Cottage Door, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(187)

Newhaven Pilot's Cottage Door

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(187)

Newhaven Fisher Callants, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(188)

Newhaven Fisher Callants

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(188)

Mrs Logan and two fisherwomen, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(189)

Mrs Logan and two fisherwomen

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(189)

Fisher Lassies, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(190)

Fisher Lassies

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(190)

King Fisher, Newhaven, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(191)

King Fisher, Newhaven

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(191)

David Young, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(192)

David Young

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(192)

Newhaven Pilot, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(194)

Newhaven Pilot

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(194)

Fishermen, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(198)

Fishermen

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(198)

Fisher Lassie and Child, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(201)

Fisher Lassie and Child

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(201)

Fisher Lassies, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(205)

Fisher Lassies

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(205)

Grizel Baillie, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(107)

Grizel Baillie

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(107)

English Yachtmen and Newhaven Fishermen, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(208)

English Yachtmen and Newhaven Fishermen

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(208)

Fisherwomen (also called 'A Lane in Newhaven'), by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(209)

Fisherwomen (also called 'A Lane in Newhaven')

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(209)

Two Fishermen (includes David Young), by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(210)

Two Fishermen (includes David Young)

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(210)

Fisher Lass, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(211)

Fisher Lass

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(211)

Sisters, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(212)

Sisters

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(212)

Unknown woman and possibly Elizabeth Hall (née Johnstone), by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(213)

Unknown woman and possibly Elizabeth Hall (née Johnstone)

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(213)

Cottage Door, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(214)

Cottage Door

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(214)

Home from Market, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(216)

Home from Market

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(216)

Just Landed, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(218)

Just Landed

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(218)

Fisher Laddies (sometimes called 'The Fry'), by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(219)

Fisher Laddies (sometimes called 'The Fry')

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(219)

A Tomb in Greyfriars, Edinburgh, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(222)

A Tomb in Greyfriars, Edinburgh

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(222)

The Greyfriars, Edinburgh, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(223)

The Greyfriars, Edinburgh

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(223)

The Mylnes' Tomb - 'Here are buried four of the Master Architects or Master Builders to the Successive Scottish Monarchs', by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(224)

The Mylnes' Tomb - 'Here are buried four of the Master Architects or Master Builders to the Successive Scottish Monarchs'

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(224)

Tombs in Greyfriars, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(225)

Tombs in Greyfriars

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(225)

The Greyfriars, Edinburgh, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(226)

The Greyfriars, Edinburgh

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(226)

Tomb (of John Byres, d.1635), Greyfriars, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(229)

Tomb (of John Byres, d.1635), Greyfriars

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(229)

Royal Institution, Edinburgh, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(235)

Royal Institution, Edinburgh

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(235)

Leith Docks, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(241)

Leith Docks

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(241)

The Scott Monument, with the Scottish National Gallery and Edinburgh Castle in the background, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(255)

The Scott Monument, with the Scottish National Gallery and Edinburgh Castle in the background

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(255)

'Edie Ochiltree' (John Henning), by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(156)

'Edie Ochiltree' (John Henning)

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(156)

Burnside, nr St Andrews, Fifeshire, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(182)

Burnside, nr St Andrews, Fifeshire

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(182)

Colinton Manse, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(236)

Colinton Manse

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(236)

Trees at Bonaly, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(239)

Trees at Bonaly

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(239)

A Tree - at Colinton, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(240)

A Tree - at Colinton

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(240)

The Argyle Gate, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(242)

The Argyle Gate, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(242)

The Cathedral and Tower of St Regulus, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(243)

The Cathedral and Tower of St Regulus, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(243)

St Andrews (the Argyle Gate), by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(244)

St Andrews (the Argyle Gate)

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(244)

St Mary's Chapel, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(245)

St Mary's Chapel, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(245)

Cardinal Beaton Castle, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(247)

Cardinal Beaton Castle, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(247)

Fishmarket, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(248)

Fishmarket, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(248)

College Church, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(249)

College Church, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(249)

St Andrews Harbour, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(250)

St Andrews Harbour

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(250)

The Spindle Rock - near St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(251)

The Spindle Rock - near St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(251)

St Mary's Chapel, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(252)

St Mary's Chapel, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(252)

St Mary's Chapel, St Andrews, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(253)

St Mary's Chapel, St Andrews

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(253)

Durham Cathedral, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(257)

Durham Cathedral

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(257)

Henry Robert Westenra, 3rd Baron Rossmore, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(21)

Henry Robert Westenra, 3rd Baron Rossmore

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(21)

Andrew Sutherland, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(59)

Andrew Sutherland

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(59)

David Laing, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(60)

David Laing

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(60)

Unknown man, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(63)

Unknown man

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(63)

The Adamson Family, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(153)

The Adamson Family

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, circa 1844-1845
NPG P6(153)

Sir William Allan, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(9)

Sir William Allan

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1844
NPG P6(9)

Possibly Jane Sophia Barker (née Harden) ('Mrs Barker'), by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(123)

Possibly Jane Sophia Barker (née Harden) ('Mrs Barker')

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1844
NPG P6(123)

William Etty, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(7)

William Etty

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1844
NPG P6(7)

William Etty, after a photograph by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG 1368

William Etty

after a photograph by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
oil on millboard, late 19th century, based on a work of 1844
NPG 1368

James Inglis, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(37)

James Inglis

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1844
NPG P6(37)

Edinburgh Castle: group probably including George Meikle Kemp, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(234)

Edinburgh Castle: group probably including George Meikle Kemp

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, circa 1844
NPG P6(234)

James Hall Nasmyth, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(28)

James Hall Nasmyth

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, circa 1844
NPG P6(28)

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