Woman in Doorway

Amateur photographer Thomas Keith created a compelling scene, posing a woman in country dress in the doorway of a grand house in Edinburgh, Scotland. The figure’s lowered gaze, the evocative handling of light, and the historical setting lend the image a melancholy feel. Darkened doorways were a popular motif in mid-19th-century art of the United Kingdom, and they were typically used to symbolize an uncertain future. The house featured here was originally built for members of the Scottish royalty. The ornamentation above the doorway bears the date of construction, the monogram of the first owners, and a family crest. The building was used as a brothel in the 19th century (perhaps when this image was taken) and fell into disrepair in the 20th century. At present, it has been renovated and houses a historical organization.